Alliance Alert: It must seem like you are being asked every day to contact your House and Senate Congressional members to protect yet another basic need that so many New Yorkers rely on….because you are!
Another essential need that is being threatened by the GOP budget proposals is access to the federal Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), sometimes referred to us food stamps. Please join thousands of New Yorkers in calling on Congress to protect SNAP from proposed cuts that would threaten food access for millions of low-income New Yorkers. Tomorrow (this Wednesday June 25), please use the links below to write your Senator and House members and t urge others to do the same via the social media link below. Thank you!
Northeast SNAP Day of Action
Wednesday, June 25
This Wednesday, advocates from across the Northeast are calling on Congress to protect SNAP from proposed cuts that would threaten food access for millions of low-income New Yorkers.
Take Action:
- Contact your representatives and urge them to stand firm against any cuts or harmful changes to SNAP. to customize and send an email to your representatives.Ìý
- Post on social media using .Ìý
- Volunteer for phone banking to reach constituents in high-impact states and districts. Our neighbors in Massachusetts are inviting advocates in other states to join this collective effort. Sign up .ÌýÂ
Background: Congress is advancing a budget reconciliation bill that includes the largest cuts to SNAP in American history. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill this week, and then it will return to the House. Now is a critical time to reach out to members in both houses.
include:
- Shifting a portion of SNAP benefit costs to the state while also cutting federal funds for program administration in half. These cost-shifts could require New York to cover an estimated $2B each year. State budgets are unable to absorb those additional costs, meaning states will likely be forced to cut SNAP or other critical state-funded programs.Ìý
- Expanding cruel and ineffective work reporting requirements to include households with school-age children and older adults, jeopardizing SNAP access for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers. Research shows work reporting requirements do not help people find work; they just add red tape and cut food assistance from people struggling with unemployment, volatile hours, or seasonal labor fluctuations.Ìý
- Ending SNAP access for many lawfully present immigrants, including refugees and people granted asylum.Ìý
- Reducing benefit amounts by limiting utility deductions and updates to the Thrifty Food Plan, key factors that help determine the amount of SNAP benefits a family will receive.Ìý
In New York alone, more than people rely on SNAP to help put food on the table. 30% of New York’s SNAP participants are children, and 31% are seniors or people with disabilities. SNAP is our nation’s most effective and efficient anti-hunger program; it increases food security, lifts children out of poverty, and reduces healthcare costs. The program also helps children and families connect with other vital food resources, including , , and .
SNAP is also an important revenue source for more than 17,000 retailers in New York. . In New York, SNAP brings more than $650 million into local economies each month. We call on New York’s delegation to firmly reject any cuts or harmful changes to SNAP and instead support the food security and economic viability of our communities.
Hunger Solutions New York
14 Computer Drive East | Albany, New York 12205
518-436-8757Ìý´¥Ìý