We do not offer food. Here’s where you can find food.
No distribuimos alimentos. Encuentre comida gratis aquí.
我們不直接提供食物，但我們能幫助您找尋食物。
This year’s election raised many questions about the future of SNAP/CalFresh, including how any changes will affect the 4.2 million Californians currently enrolled as well as the approximately 2 million more who are eligible but not receiving nutrition assistance.
While continuing to pursue CAFB’s current agenda for strengthening CalFresh in California, on the national level we are preparing for a potential budget reconciliation process in the spring and then reauthorization of the Farm Bill, both of which may offer opportunities to cut or eliminate the SNAP program. Additionally, the USDA holds a significant level of authority over the program and can approve, renegotiate or deny administrative policies on a rolling basis.
Threat: Severe cuts through SNAP through block granting
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan has proposed to end the program by converting it into a block grant (fixed amount of funding) to states, possibly in a consolidated block grant including multiple safety net programs. Major consequences would include eligibility and benefits cuts and an inability for the program to respond to periods of increased need.
Threat: Remove SNAP from the Farm Bill
President-elect Trump’s official platform calls for removing the Nutrition Title, which includes SNAP, from the Farm Bill, though he backpedaled in a recent remark. Regardless, previous attempts by members of Congress to separate the Nutrition Title are likely to be renewed during Farm Bill deliberations. Congress’ original intent in marrying SNAP and agricultural programs was to create a strong, unified agriculture and nutrition system. Uncoupling SNAP from the Farm Bill could make program cuts easier to achieve and divide the broad coalition of agricultural, retail, anti-hunger, conservation and other sectors who advocate for a strong, unified Farm Bill.
Threat: Limit benefits for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD)
ABAWDs can only get SNAP for three months in a three-year-period if they do not meet certain special work requirements. This requirement was waived in some regions hard hit by the Recession, but the waivers are due to expire, meaning hundreds of thousands of Californians could soon lose their benefits.
Threat: Cut or eliminate CalFresh Outreach
Defending a robust SNAP outreach program is a priority since it was already under scrutiny in the 2014 Farm Bill. CAFB and our network of 50 partners provide critical outreach and technical assistance that helps make the complicated CalFresh sign-up process easier to navigate for applicants. This program depends on the California Department of Social Services receiving federal SNAP outreach funding.
Threat: Eliminate Categorical Eligibility
Categorical eligibility provides simplified access to SNAP for households receiving TANF benefits and allows states to raise income reporting thresholds to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Prior attempts to remove it from the Farm Bill may be renewed.
Threat: Sever the link between SNAP and the Low-Income Heating & Energy Assistance Program
All households receiving at least $20 in monthly benefits automatically receive the Standard Utility Allowance that reduces a household’s net income, thereby increasing their monthly food benefit. Before the 2014 Farm Bill, there was no minimum LIHEAP contribution requirement; the $20 monthly amount was a compromise against those who sought to eliminate this ‘heat and eat’ program linkage.
Threat: Eliminate Disaster SNAP
Disaster SNAP is a vital tool available to communities in declared disaster areas. Depending on the severity of the crisis, regular SNAP benefits may be reissued to residents experiencing displacement or loss of property, or special Disaster SNAP benefits may be issued in extreme cases, such as the devastating Lake and Calaveras County fires last year. Both programs would be limited or entirely unavailable under a capped block grant.
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