Trump Administration Proposes Cuts to Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program

The Trump administration proposed a new rule that will cut roughly 3 million Americans from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), more commonly known as food stamps. All this in a bid to save taxpayers around $2.5 billion a year.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) sent out a press release about the proposed rule in which a loophole that allows states receiving minimal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits automatically eligible to participate in SNAP would be closed.

“For too long, this loophole has been used to effectively bypass important eligibility guidelines. Too often, states have misused this flexibility without restraint,” stated U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. “The American people expect their government to be fair, efficient, and to have integrity – just as they do in their own homes, businesses, and communities. That is why we are changing the rules, preventing abuse of a critical safety net system, so those who need food assistance the most are the only ones who receive it.”

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Under the proposal, in order to be automatically eligible for SNAP, a household must “receive TANF-funded cash or non-cash benefits valued at a minimum of $50 per month for at least 6 months,” or be eligible for other non-cash benefits like “subsidized employment, work supports, or childcare.”