Under a proposed new law, SNAP benefits might change quite a bit next year. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow has introduced the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act of 2024. This new law aims to protect the current conservation and climate funding in the Inflation Reduction Act, as well as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Potential changes
However, if the Republican version of the law passes, there could be a lot of changes to the food stamps program, including potential cuts to monthly benefits. The program might face $30 billion in cuts over a decade, and a freeze on adjusting benefits for food inflation could mean the average household loses about $7 a month. Michael Ryan, a finance expert and founder of MichaelRyanMoney.com, told Newsweek that while this amount isn’t huge on its own, it could be significant for families struggling to get by.
For SNAP recipients who rely on these payments for groceries, a $7 monthly drop could make a significant difference under the new law. The aim is to make SNAP more “cost-neutral”, says Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor at the University of Tennessee at Martin. “It really comes down to how many Americans will need SNAP benefits in the coming years and whether these changes will be enough,” Beene noted. “With rising prices and concerns that current employment rates might not last, there’s a real fear that more, not less, funding will be needed.”
If the law passes, SNAP benefits would reach more Americans by ending the rule that prohibits payments to people convicted of felonies. Under the new rules, incarcerated individuals could apply for SNAP 30 days before their release.
Potential benefits of the new program
Kevin Thompson, a finance expert and founder/CEO of 9i Capital Group, expects some pushback against this proposal. However, he points out that other changes, like streamlining the application process, would be beneficial overall. “A streamlined application process is a positive step, allowing more people to access benefits, which in turn is good for the economy,” Thompson said. “Reducing food insecurity helps people become more productive economically.”
- The law could also help some Americans get more payments by excluding income from employment and training programs, including subsidized employment, from being counted as income for SNAP purposes.
- The food security bill proposed by Michigan Democrat Debbie Stabenow follows the RESTORE Act, introduced by Democratic Representative Steve Cohen of Tennessee.
- Cohen’s bill also aims to make people with drug offenses eligible for SNAP benefits despite their criminal history.
- As of March, about 360,000 people in the U.S. were in prison for drug offenses, according to the Prison Policy Initiative.
- Back in 1996, President Bill Clinton banned those with federal or state felony drug convictions from qualifying for SNAP or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families nationwide. However, he allowed states to opt out or modify the rules.
What to expect from the new proposal
SNAP, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is a major federal initiative active in all 50 states, aimed at providing financial help to low-income households. On May 1st, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow shared a summary of the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act of 2024 (RPFSA). This proposal seeks to update agricultural laws with bipartisan input and includes several key points:
- Promoting fairer food and agriculture systems.
- Tackling conservation and climate issues affecting food security.
- Strengthening public-private partnerships for agricultural research and protecting organic certifications.
- Investing in local farming communities and markets to boost supply chain access.
- Making crop insurance more affordable without impacting commodity prices.
- Enhancing land access and credit options.
However, the proposal, which still needs approval from Senate Agriculture Committee Republicans, includes changes to SNAP benefits that could affect both the program’s budget and benefit amounts. Proposed changes include:
- Excluding military basic housing allowances from SNAP income considerations.
- Waiving SNAP college restrictions for students 24 or younger who have aged out of foster care.
- Excluding income from employment and training programs from SNAP calculations.
- Restoring SNAP benefits for drug felony convicts who can apply 30 days before release.
- Including Puerto Rico in the SNAP benefits program.
- Increasing funding for SNAP education.
SNAP has benefited many citizens, but these changes can ultimately affect thousands of people. While the updated plan has some risks, it also has many benefits. Let’s continue watching to see if these changes will take place.