Emergency SNAP Cuts
The looming cuts to emergency SNAP benefits in 32 states threaten to deepen poverty in rural America.
The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is one of the largest sources of support for low-income individuals and families. The emergency SNAP cuts will hit rural areas particularly, and people who are already struggling to make ends meet will face further challenges.
According to a published article in USA Today, SNAP recipients will notice their benefits decrease by at least $95 per month. Some households absorb as much as a $250 reduction in their SNAP benefits. Some older adults will see the most abrupt drop in benefits, going from $280 a month to $23.
Food Insecurity Could Worsen
The effects of the coming emergency SNAP cuts could be devastating. Food insecurity is a crucial problem in the United States, especially in rural areas. A higher percentage of people in rural areas rely on SNAP benefits than in metropolitan areas.
According to Rural Health Information Hub, there are residents and households in rural areas who are experiencing food insecurity. It refers to the inability to consistently access affordable and healthy food, resulting in an increased likelihood of negative health effects. Rural residents experience challenges in gaining access to healthy and affordable food. They lack food retailers and food desserts which refers to areas with limited supplies of fresh and affordable food.
READ ALSO: Emergency SNAP Benefits 2023: Governor Abbott, HHSC Announces Final Extension
In rural areas, access to food may be restricted by financial problems or other factors, such as transport challenges. Rural consumers may rely on more costly and less healthy food, such as the foods available at gas station convenience stores, supermarket, or grocery store that stocks fresh produce, milk, eggs, and other staples.
Food Banks Offer Help
Food banks and pantries have been working hard to support communities. It became hard for them to make up for the gap left by the emergency SNAP cuts as they are still struggling to keep up with demand from the pandemic. Every dollar worth of groceries that they distribute is only a fraction of the value of the groceries that SNAP provides. Some states are now opening food pantries to help people deal with food insecurity.
For many families, the emergency SNAP cuts could mean the difference between having enough to eat and going hungry. The situation is especially bad for people living in rural areas, who often have limited access to affordable and nutritious food. Without the support of programs like SNAP, many people would be unable to feed their families.
As the March deadline for the cuts approaches, the issue of food insecurity is becoming increasingly urgent. Policymakers need to take action to prevent the emergency SNAP cuts from worsening the problem of food insecurity in rural America.
READ ALSO: Colorado Department of Human Services to Help Residents as SNAP Benefits End
