FRAC: Press Release - “New” Program Helps Struggling Households Put Food on the Table - Electronic Card Allows Individuals to Buy Nutritious Food at Local Stores

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For further information, contact: Jen Adach, 202-986-2200, jadach@frac.org

“New” Program Helps Struggling Households Put Food on the Table

Electronic Card Allows Individuals to Buy Nutritious Food at Local Stores

Washington, D.C. (October 1, 2008) — Millions of Americans struggling against hunger will benefit from the new Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program, which was unveiled today. SNAP provides struggling low-income households with monthly benefits that they can use to purchase food at their local grocery stores.

As an added bonus, officials say that SNAP will help spur the economy into action as every SNAP dollar spent generates nearly double that in the local economy.

For many, the program might have a familiar ring to it. That’s because SNAP is the new name for a successful and improved federal program – the Food Stamp Program.

“SNAP is the first line of defense against hunger in this country,” pointed out Jim Weill, president of the Food Research and Action Center. “More people are challenged to stretch limited funds amid increasing food costs, energy costs and a weakening economy. SNAP gives struggling households the help they need to put food on the table.”

Starting October 1st, the Food Stamp Program is now known nationally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, although individual states are free to use other names. (For a list of state name changes, go to www.fns.usda.gov/snap/snap.htm.) The federal name change was included in the recently passed Farm Bill, and is one of many revisions to the program. Other changes include increasing the minimum benefit and standard deduction, eliminating the cap on the dependent care deduction and excluding education and retirement accounts from countable resources.

“The name change and the program improvements offer an opportunity for people to become reacquainted with the program, as well as a chance to see if they are eligible to receive the benefits,” said Weill. “Too many people miss out on the program, and the name change is a chance for states to increase their outreach to potentially eligible people.”

Nationally, according to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture data, only 67 percent of those eligible for the program receive benefits. Participation among seniors and working poor is even lower, with only 34 percent of eligible seniors and 29 percent of individuals with incomes above the poverty line receiving the benefit.

“In an uncertain economy, programs like SNAP are an essential part of any plan to improve the economy and help struggling families,” Weill continued. “Economists from across the political spectrum, ranging from Reagan advisor Martin Feldstein to Clinton Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, have argued that a temporary boost in SNAP benefits is the quickest and most effective way to stimulate the economy and help America’s families.”

For SNAP participation by state, visit www.frac.org/html/federal_food_programs/programs/fspparticipation.html

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The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) is the leading national organization working for more effective public and private policies to eradicate domestic hunger and undernutrition.