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@lwvwv.org
Links: ------ [1] http://foodjustice.wvu.edu/2019/09/05/categorical-eligibility-rule-impacts-i... [2] https://actionnetwork.org/letters/take-action-today-tell-the-administration-...
