Millions of Americans will lose food stamps due to new work requirements. In case you don’t know about this, there is a very important program called SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) in the United States. Thanks to this program, millions of Americans are able to buy healthy food every month, but this number might lower.
But a new analysis from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) warns that many people will stop receiving this help. The reason? A new law that adds work requirements for more beneficiaries. So, let’s find out more about this program and the decision.
What is the SNAP program?
SNAP is a food assistance program that gives monthly financial support to millions of Americans. The money is deposited onto a card called an EBT card, which works just like a debit card. With it, people can buy food in supermarkets and other approved stores.
The goal is to make sure families can access healthy meals and do not go hungry. This is why SNAP is considered one of the most important social programs in the United States.
What changed with the new law?
The new law, pushed by the U.S. President Donald Trump, introduced work obligations for more people. For the first time, some groups that previously didn’t have to work to qualify now need to. Pay attention because these are the new work requirements to keep receiving food stamps:
- Work at least 80 hours a month.
- Do volunteer service.
- Participate in training or work programs.
These rules especially affect parents with children over 14 years old, along with some older adults and other beneficiaries.
How many people will lose benefits?
Unfortunately, according to the CBO report, around 2.4 million Americans will lose their SNAP benefits because they won’t be able to meet the new work requirements. That means millions of Americans who depend on this support to buy healthy food will no longer get the help they need each month.
A worrying situation
We live in a world that is constantly changing and this situation comes at a difficult time for many Americans since: Food prices are rising, making groceries much more expensive; and food banks can’t handle the growing demand. For many families, SNAP benefits are key for eating well, otherwise they would go hungry.
SNAP and the economy of Americans
SNAP doesn’t just help those who receive it, it also impacts the American economy. Let’s explain this in more detail: When Americans use their EBT cards to buy groceries, that money goes to supermarkets, farmers, and food businesses. In other words, SNAP supports local economies while helping families put food on the table.
This means that reducing the number of people who receive benefits could not only hurt families but also affect the businesses that depend on those purchases.
So…
As you can see, for millions of Americans, SNAP is more than just a program, it is a lifeline that puts food on the table. But with the new work requirements, the CBO expects that 2.4 million Americans will lose their food stamps.
Of course, the choices leaders make can impact everyday lives, and that includes yours too because this change doesn’t only affect statistics; it could affect people you know such as neighbors, classmates’ families, or even your own relatives. So, rising food prices and struggling food banks make this loss even harder.
Those who don’t depend on these food stamps, may not know how lucky they are to have the food they want whenever they want. Do you think it is fair to change the work requirements to keep receiving food stamps?