May 19, 2021

Members of the newly formed SNAP Participants Collaborative released a policy brief highlighting challenges faced by participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP, also known as food stamps, provides low-income families supplemental funds to use for purchasing food at select eligible retailers. The program is a much needed lifeline for families living in poverty and experiencing food insecurity throughout the country and became even more essential during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The brief highlights the challenges faced by the current structure and implementation of the program but also lists specific changes necessary to make the program more impactful in addressing food insecurity and health concerns. These include reevaluating how SNAP funds are calculated, changing eligibility requirements and precesses, and addressing guidelines for stores accepting SNAP payments. View the full policy brief here.

The SNAP Participants Collaborative is a group of current and former SNAP participants located in both Pennsylvania and Connecticut. They recently presented their concerns with the program to the USDA Food and Nutrition Services staff.