Dear LWV-WV Members, Board, and Local Leaders,
The LWV-WV has send a letter to US Department of Agriculture opposing
proposed changes to SNAP eligibility requirements. These proposed
changes would deny nutrition assistance to 3.1 million people and more
than 25,000 West Virginians. [1]
Please take a few minutes and join us in submitting comments opposing
this proposed rule.
Click here [2] to send a letter. Comments must be received on or before
Monday, September 23, 2019.
Below is the letter sent by LWV-WV. Thanks for taking action!
Sincerely,
Julie Archer
1st Vice President, LWV-WV
September 14, 2019
USDA, Food and Nutrition Service
Program Design Branch, Program Development Division
3101 Park Center Drive
Alexandria, VA 22302
Re: Docket ID Number FNS-2018-0037 - Revision of Categorical Eligibility
in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Dear Secretary Perdue,
I am writing on behalf of the League of Women Voters of West Virginia to
oppose the proposed rule to eliminate SNAP's broad-based categorical
eligibility (BBCE) option that allows states to streamline the process
for households with slightly higher incomes that still experience
financial hardship to participate in SNAP.
SNAP plays a critical role in food security in West Virginia. In fiscal
year 2017, SNAP benefits reached 340,000 West Virginia residents, or 19%
of our state population.
Eliminating the BBCE option would deny access to food assistance to more
than 3 million people, including thousands of West Virginians, and
punish families for saving money for emergencies or for their children's
future.
This proposed policy change would also be counterproductive and remove
incentives for people to enter and stay in the workforce. Allowing them
to continue to receive assistance lets them focus on being successful
rather than having to worry about how they will pay for food.
Additionally, this attack on those struggling to get by sidesteps
Congress by eliminating an option that has been in place for more than
20 years and was recently upheld in the bipartisan 2018 Farm Bill.
Eliminating this option takes food off the tables of working individuals
and families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities.
The League of Women Voters supports programs and policies to prevent or
reduce poverty and to promote self-sufficiency for individuals and
families, and believes those who are unable to work, whose earnings are
inadequate or for whom jobs are not available have the right to an
income and/or services sufficient to meet their basic human needs for
food, shelter, and access to health care.
SNAP helps millions of Americans and thousands of West Virginians make
ends meet. Please reject these unnecessary changes to this proven
program.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Rosenbaum, President
531 Woodland Circle
Morgantown WV 26505
304-599-2370, jr(a)lwvwv.org
Links:
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[1]
http://foodjustice.wvu.edu/2019/09/05/categorical-eligibility-rule-impacts-…
[2]
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/take-action-today-tell-the-administration…
