Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits could change in several states as lawmakers consider bills that could restrict access or change eligibility requirements.
SNAP benefits, commonly known as food stamps, could change in four states: Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, and West Virginia. The benefits help low— and no-income families buy groceries.
SNAP is funded by the federal government, but each state is responsible for distributing the funds to those who need them. The benefits are administered using an electronic benefit transfer card (EBT) that can be used at participating stores to buy food and drink.
While some states have recently boosted SNAP by widening access, others are working in the other direction.
Which States Are Changing SNAP?
Kentucky
In February, lawmakers in Kentucky's House of Representatives voted to approve House Bill 367, which would implement a financial asset test and make income requirements stricter for those who rely on food stamps.
The limit for gross income—meaning any money earned before applying taxes and other deductions—would be dropped from 200 percent of the federal poverty level to 130 percent, according to the bill's text. It is currently being reviewed by the state Senate's Economic Development, Tourism and Labor Committee.
Maryland
Republican Representative Andy Harris has put forward a bill in Maryland that would limit foods SNAP recipients can buy using their EBT cards, with a focus on eliminating unhealthy foods from the types of products that can be bought.
"If SNAP more effectively addressed nutrition, it could help reduce the prevalence of obesity, which in turn would lower healthcare costs in the U.S. and help address the country's long-term fiscal challenges," Harris said in an article for The Hill, which he wrote with Angela Rachidi, a researcher from conservative American Enterprise Institute.
"An important first step is to restrict sweetened beverages from SNAP."
Harris suffered a blow when he attempted to pilot a similar program in five U.S. states, but spending measures released by Congress earlier this month show he was unsuccessful.
A summary released by the Democratic Party said it had "successfully eliminated extreme policies proposed by House Republicans," including "the Republican proposal for a 'SNAP Choice' pilot program that would have limited food choices for people on SNAP."
Harris previously told Newsweek: "I am surprised that the Democrats, who are so interested in health equity, adamantly opposed converting the SNAP program to a healthier food program, which would result in healthier outcomes for minorities overrepresented in the SNAP program.
"Obesity, diabetes, and hypertension are all more prevalent in those communities—and a more nutritious diet is accepted by experts as a means to deal with preventing and treating those diseases. Food is medicine."
Nebraska
SNAP claimants in Nebraska may have to enroll in a work and training program if legislation proposed by Senator Ben Hansen. It would require all able-bodied recipients to take part in the program if they are not currently in employment.
The SNAP Next Step program is already in place in the state, but it is currently voluntary.
"Our economy, our budget, our tax revenues, and most importantly those who find themselves in difficult situations will benefit from the changes my bill will make for those who receive SNAP," Hansen testified in February. "We need these reforms. Nebraska has a workforce shortage crisis. There are help wanted signs everywhere and 61,000 open jobs in Nebraska."
West Virginia
Similar to Nebraska, West Virginia lawmakers are reviewing a bill that would see "all individuals who are over the age of 17 and under the age of 60 to an employment and training program."
Current requirements mean that able-bodied adults without dependents are required to work in order to receive SNAP if they are between the ages of 18 and 52. SB 562 would increase the age to 59 for able-bodied adults who do not have any dependents.
Lead sponsor of Senate Bill 562, Republican Senator Rollan Roberts, said the bill would "gradually wean able-bodied adults without dependent children off of SNAP benefits," according to Ballotpedia.
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