Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) Introduces Bill to Abolish Time Limits on SNAP
H.R. 2809, which has 31 cosponsors, would lift SNAP’s arbitrary three-month time limit and ensure that all people have access to nutrition assistance and stay healthy while seeking full-time work. Under current law, certain adults aged 18-49 without dependents are subject to an arbitrary three-month time limit of SNAP benefits unless they document 80 work hours a month. See FRAC’s statement.
Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC) Introduces Bill to Increase SNAP Benefits
H.R. 1368, which has 111 cosponsors, would increase benefits for all SNAP participants by basing benefits on the Low Cost Meal Plan instead of the Thrifty Food Plan, increase SNAP benefits for families with children with high shelter costs by removing the cap on the SNAP shelter deduction, raise the SNAP monthly minimum benefit to $25, and authorize a SNAP Standard Excess Medical Deduction for persons who are elderly or have disabilities (with a minimum standard of $140).
USDA’s Proposed SNAP Rule Will Arbitrarily Limit States’ Ability to Provide Benefits, Increasing Hunger and Poverty
The Trump Administration’s proposed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) rule would diminish food assistance for unemployed and underemployed people in areas with insufficient jobs; undo long-settled regulations; cynically attempt to end run Congress; and increase hunger and nutrition-related diseases.
President Signs Farm Bill
President Trump signed the Farm Bill into law on December 20. Read FRAC’s analysis. The final Farm Bill conference report was filed the evening of Monday, December 10. On December 11, the Senate passed the conference report, 87-13. The House passed the bill on December 12 by a vote of 369-47. Check out FRAC’s statement.
Thank you for taking action to protect immigrant families
The public comment period on the Department of Homeland Security’s proposed public charge rule is now closed. Thanks in part to the efforts of anti-hunger and nutrition stakeholders, more than 210,000 comments on the rule were submitted. Stay tuned for updates on the rulemaking process and see FRAC’s public charge resource page to learn more about continued action to protect immigrant families.
What Every Policymaker Should Know About Hunger
Even though the 2018 elections are over, FRAC’s one-stop-shop for anti-hunger advocates provides the facts and tools needed to ensure every candidate-turned-lawmaker knows about the extent of hunger in America and the solutions that exist to solve it.
ON THE HILL
- 2018 Farm Bill letter to House and Senate Budget and Appropriations CommitteesFRAC is proud to have played a leadership role in developing and garnering support for this letter (pdf) urging the House and Senate Budget and Appropriations Committees not to “hinder development and passage of the 2018 Farm Bill with further cuts.”
- SNAP Support Letters
Take Action
FRAC Response to Dangerous House FY2018 Budget Resolution - Advocates Urged to Take Immediate Action
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Read FRAC’s Farm Bill Primer
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Prohibit Lunch Shaming: Endorse S. 1064 and H.R. 2401
Organizations: Take action here
Organize a Site Visit
Read MoreThe Anti-Lunch Shaming Act of 2017
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Recent Publications & Data
See More Resources- Report
Poverty and food insecurity have detrimental impacts on infant, child, and maternal health and well-being in both the short and long terms. One critical strategy to address these issues is connecting vulnerable families to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Decades of research have demonstrated the effectiveness of WIC in reducing food insecurity, and improving health, nutrition, development, and well-being.
WIC is a Critical Economic, Nutrition, and Health Support for Children and Families provides background information on WIC; briefly summarizes the harmful impacts of poverty and food insecurity; and highlights research demonstrating the effective role of WIC in improving food and economic security, dietary intake, weight outcomes, health, and learning.
Read the report - Report
The WIC food packages were revised in 2007 to align the authorized food with the latest nutrition science and guidance. The majority of WIC participants are satisfied with the revised food packages in terms of the new foods offered and changes in the amounts of food. As summarized in this brief, Impact of the Revised WIC Food Packages on Nutrition Outcomes and the Retail Food Environment, research shows that the revised WIC food packages have favorable impacts on dietary intake, breastfeeding outcomes, and obesity rates. In addition, also as summarized in this brief, studies suggest an important role for WIC in improving neighborhood food environments, which benefits both WIC participants and non-participants.
Read the report - Best Practice
Unemployed or underemployed adults without dependents and without other exemptions (such as disability) often face time limits after three months of receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In this best practice, learn how partnering with health professionals, advocates, application assistance providers, and others can help individuals who are struggling against hunger to continue to receive benefits from SNAP when they might otherwise be improperly subjected to three-month time limits as so-called “Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents” (ABAWD).
Learn more - Report
Making WIC Work Better features a comprehensive set of recommendations to overcome the barriers that have led to a downward trend in participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
Read the report
News
FRAC Chat
To help you join the fight against senior hunger this Older Americans Month, below are five ways you can help address food insecurity among seniors.
Spring is in full bloom in Washington, D.C., and so are key pieces of legislation that FRAC is monitoring and weighing in on. Below is an overview of legislative proposals in the 116th Congress to look out for that would impact critical anti-hunger and anti-poverty programs.
As people age, they should be able to look forward to living healthy, happy, and hunger-free lives, not lives burdened by food insecurity. Fortunately, solutions are available for addressing senior hunger, and one of the most effective solutions is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).