The Republican Megabill, H.R.1, may end SNAP eligibility for about 110,000 Massachusetts residents, imposes burdensome and unworkable work requirements, cuts federal reimbursement for SNAP caseworkers, and then – after dumping work onto the state and draining federal resources – turns around and forces states to pay up to 15% of SNAP benefits if accuracy suffers as a result.
Despite these threats, SNAP remains our state’s most effective and efficient program to reduce hunger and poverty – ensuring 1 in 6 residents can put food on the table. The shutdown reminded all of America how critical SNAP is. In Massachusetts, we must invest in SNAP to ensure low-income families can put food on the table.
Protecting and maximizing participation in SNAP benefits low-income residents, grocers, farmers, and our economy. SNAP accounts for $1 of every $5 dollars spent at Massachusetts grocery stores (20% of grocer sales). SNAP improves health outcomes and reduces health-care costs. Maximizing SNAP also protects access to universal free school meals. The Commonwealth can improve payment accuracy while also reducing hunger by investing in DTA’s workforce and connecting all eligible families with very low incomes to SNAP.