A Message from the National Low-Income Housing Coalition:
Tell Your Members of Congress to Support SNAP Benefits in the Final Farm Bill
The struggle to afford food gets more difficult this month for 47 million Americans. Expansions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–SNAP, previously known as food stamps–expired November 1.
The prospects for restoring these benefits are grim, unless you speak out now. The House and Senate will soon begin to resolve differences between their respective Farm Bills, which fund SNAP. The House bill, H.R. 2642, includes a massive $40 billion reduction over ten years. Meanwhile, the Senate bill, S. 3240, includes a reduction of $4.5 billion. Any cuts will mean millions of households will lose crucial access to food!
The time for advocates to act is now! Please call your Senators and Representative and tell them to oppose any changes to SNAP funding or eligibility in the final Farm Bill. To find their contact information, visit NLIHC’s website and enter your zip code. We need all advocates to take action, but it is especially important for those whose Members serve on the Conference Committee working on a final bill. Use this link to see the list.
With soaring housing costs, too many families must choose between paying the rent and putting food on the table. Cuts to SNAP put more households at risk of homelessness.
The current cuts to SNAP will result in the loss of $36 monthly for a family of four, which is approximately 21 meals per month according to the Center on Budget and Policy and Priorities. Any cuts will make a huge difference. SNAP benefits lifted 3.9 million Americans above the poverty line in 2011, including 1.7 million children and 280,000 seniors according to the Food Research and Action Center. SNAP is a crucial program to combating poverty!
After you make your call, spread the word! Please forward this alert to your networks and encourage them to join this important effort to protect SNAP/Food Stamps.
