February 17, 2020

Diane Sullivan, a member of Witnesses to Hunger Boston, testified before members of the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington D.C. on February 6. She presented on the importance of broad-based categorical eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The House Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy hosted the hearing.

In reference to the proposed changes to SNAP currently being considered, she said, “This SNAP proposal is a gut shot to those least equipped to take the blow or to fight back.”

Broad-based categorical eligibility allows states to consider local economic conditions when determining SNAP eligibility. Eliminating categorical eligibility and enacting stricter requirements could result in thousands of families losing SNAP benefits, and many children losing eligibility for free or subsidized school meals.

View her full testimony via C-Span.

Diane was also featured on NPR's All Things Considered.

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