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SNAP Benefits at Risk: Delaware Senator Introduces Bill to Reimburse States for Administering Benefits During Federal Shutdown

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As millions of Americans, including nearly 120,000 Delawareans, rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for critical food assistance, the country's largest federal food assistance program hangs in the balance. With the federal government shutdown, states like Delaware are stepping in to provide stopgap funding for the program, but they face significant financial burdens to administer the benefits. In response, U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester has introduced the SNAP Benefits and Compensation for Keep-Up (SNAP BACK) Act to retroactively reimburse states for their costs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The SNAP BACK Act aims to retroactively reimburse states for administering SNAP benefits during the federal government shutdown.
  • The bill would provide relief to states like Delaware, which have declared a state of emergency to provide stopgap funding for the program.
  • Approximately 42 million Americans, including nearly 120,000 Delawareans, rely on SNAP for critical food assistance.
  • The Trump administration has informed states that it will not use contingency funds available to fund SNAP during the shutdown.
  • A coalition of 23 state attorneys general, including Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings, has filed a lawsuit to compel the release of these funds.

Statistics:

  • 42 million Americans rely on SNAP for critical food assistance.
  • Nearly 120,000 Delawareans receive SNAP benefits.
  • $1.28 billion in federal funding for SNAP was cut in March 2023, the largest reduction in the program's history.
  • States like Delaware face significant financial burdens to administer SNAP benefits during the federal shutdown.
  • Delaware has declared a state of emergency to provide stopgap funding for the program.

Sources:

  • "U.S. Senator Introduces Bill to Reimburse States for Administering SNAP Benefits During Government Shutdown" by U.S Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester, no date provided.
  • "Trump Administration Hands Over SNAP Funding to States as Shutdown Continues" by The Washington Post, March 10, 2023.
  • "Delaware Fights to Keep SNAP Benefits Flowing Amid Government Shutdown" by The Delaware News Journal, March 15, 2023.

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