The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), still known as the Food Stamp Program, is a federal government program providing assistance for those of low to no incomes to purchase groceries. The program helps them maintain adequate nutrition and health. It is a federal aid program through the US Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) with benefits distributed by certain departments of US states, for example, the Division of Social Services and the Dept. of Health & Human Services, etc.
Begun in 1939, the program allowed people on relief to buy orange stamps equal to their regular expense for food. For every $1 worth of orange stamps bought, 50 cents worth of blue stamps were received. Orange stamps could be used to buy any food. Blue stamps were only for food determined by the Dept. to be surplus.
Pres. Lyndon Johnson asked Congress to pass legislation making the program permanent, leading to the Food Stamp Act of 1964. For 86 years, since 1939, America has helped to feed its most vulnerable citizens.
Now, that program is being held hostage by a majority political party who will not pass overall funding. Senate Democrats have demanded the Republicans first reverse their cuts to the Affordable Care Act (ACA, also known as Obamacare) and Medicaid. Republicans have argued that health care can be debated after the shutdown is over. I think we all know the majority party is not known for their honesty, integrity or ethics.
This has resulted in over 700,000 federal employees suspended from their jobs, with nearly the same number of workers now working without pay. Employees crucial to public safety, such as air traffic controllers, border patrol, law enforcement and military personnel, are required to work anyway.
The SNAP program is one such program that will negatively affect about 42 million people, men, women, children, disabled and veterans, should it be halted on Sat. Nov. 1st. The National WIC Association (Women, Infants & Children), a nonprofit organization that advocates for The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for recipients, recently stated millions of families could lose their benefits come Nov. 1 without additional funding for the program. This program helps pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding moms.
According to NH Hunger Solutions:
- SNAP benefits are guaranteed. When the government finally reopens, Nov. benefits will be issued retroactively.
- The SNAP program will continue. Applications will be processed and benefits issued retroactively to the application once the shutdown finally ends. Continue to apply.
- Once the shutdown ends, SNAP EBT cards will work for both current and new funds to purchase food.
This link is to New Hampshire’s Food Access Network:
FOOD ACCESS | New Hampshire Food Access Map
Spoiler alert! The opening page says this version of the map is out of date. Not to worry, click on the tab that says “About this map.” It will take you where you need to go.
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Matthew 25:40