SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), is under attack again! SB 615 is another attack on those in our state who are most vulnerable; children, senior citizens and veterans. This Republican sponsored bill seeks to cut eligibility for SNAP while adding more red tape and hoops to jump through.
As if that’s not enough, there are already federal SNAP cuts in place due to the recently passed “Budget Reconciliation Bill;”
Effective October 1, 2025:
~SNAP nutrition education eliminated: Federal funding to the tune of $1.18 million for NH's SNAP-Ed program gets cut. The result? Thousands will experience even worse food insecurity, thereby reducing health benefits, and eroding economic benefits by undermining programs such as the one that doubles SNAP dollars at farmers' markets.
Effective October 1, 2026:
~NH will be stuck with huge new administration costs: The state will pay 75% of SNAP's operating costs, up from 50%. This is an annual increase of at least $5.7 million, potentially resulting in less staff and slower service for families.
Effective October 1, 2027:
~NH will be hit with huge new food benefit costs: the state may end up having to pay a share of SNAP food benefits if the state's error rate is 6% or higher. The cost share is likely to be between 5-15% of benefits, costing millions more annually. This would be a humanitarian disaster for NH.
So why do Republicans in the state senate want to add more pain? Remember the recent federal government shutdown? SNAP assistance was halted, resulting in immediate and overwhelming numbers of folks utilizing food pantries.
This bill inflicts constraints on top of federal SNAP rules, such as making purchases in NH only, creating unnecessary administrative burdens on retailers and could possibly force small stores to stop taking SNAP. SB 615 places more administrative burdens, risking huge federal penalties.
This bill comes before the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Jan. 14 and is opposed by NH Hunger Solutions. Please take a moment to contact committee members and urge them to vote “no” on this cruel bill:
Email Entire Committee or singularly:
Sen. David Rochefort | Chair | 603-271-8631 | David.Rochefort@gc.nh.gov
Sen. Kevin Avard | Vice Chair | 603-271-3479 | Kevin.Avard@gc.nh.gov
Sen. Regina Birdsell | 603-271-3479 | Regina.Birdsell@gc.nh.gov
Sen. Suzanne Prentiss | 603-271-3091 | suzanne.prentiss@gc.nh.gov
Sen. Pat Long | 603-271-2104 | Patrick.Long@gc.nh.gov
To register your opinion online click here:
The date of the hearing is Jan. 14th
The committee is Health & Human Services
The bill is SB 615
Unless otherwise, you are a member of the public
Select whether you support or oppose this bill
Hit continue and fill in your name and address
Hit continue again, you’re done!
Thank you for taking the time to defend democracy in its many forms, this time speaking in defense of those in our communities who are the most vulnerable!