(WASHINGTON) – Today, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) hosted a press conference with Congressional and outside advocates on the upcoming reduction in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits this Friday, November 1st. On that day, the temporary benefit boost provided for in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 stimulus is scheduled to expire and households across the country participating in SNAP will see their monthly benefit sharply reduced. This substantial reduction on November 1st will leave many Americans unsure of how they will put food on the table, and will aggravate the problem of hunger in our nation, making it that much harder for millions of Americans—fathers and mothers, children, veterans and active duty military, to provide for their loved ones. At the press conference, Rep. Conyers delivered the following statement:
U.S. Representative John Conyers, Jr. |
“It is with great urgency that my colleague
Representative Barbara Lee and I join with fellow Democrats and
representatives from Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), Share Our
Strength, Feeding America, and United Way for Southeastern
Michigan to discuss an important concern. On Friday, November 1st,
households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP) will see their monthly benefit sharply reduced. The
temporary benefit boost provided for in the
2009 Recovery Act is scheduled to expire, leaving many Americans unsure
of how they will put food on the table. This cut will severely
aggravate the problem of both hunger and economic growth in our Nation.
“The
SNAP benefit increase provided in the Recovery Act passed in the depths
of the Great Recession to provide an increase in benefits
through Fiscal Year 2016. However, the funding increase was quickly
reduced while a portion of it was used to cover the cost of education
jobs and Medicaid and the reauthorization of Child Nutrition programs.
As a result, beginning on November 1, 2013,
SNAP
funding will be reduced by approximately $5 billion for FY 2014.
Additionally, a family of four will lose up to $36 a month and an
average benefit per person, per meal will drop to less than $1.40.
Instead of purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables parents
will have to choose cheaper and less healthy food options that lack
nutritional value. In my home state of Michigan, $183 Million will be
cut from SNAP benefits causing 1,775,000 SNAP recipients to be impacted
and parents wondering if they’ll have enough benefits
left over near the end of the month for Thanksgiving. This is
heartless! SNAP is designed to help eliminate hunger but this cut will
only increase it.
No comments:
Post a Comment