More than 3 million Americans, including hundreds locally, could lose food assistance under a proposed federal rule change. That means more hungry families in our region.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to change a rule that lets some people who earn slightly over the income limit for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—SNAP, or what many call food stamps—to receive the benefit anyway. Known as “categorical eligibility,” it allows low-income people who get help through other government programs to meet the requirements for SNAP.

Categorical eligibility is crucial for people who fall under the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold. These are working people who earn enough to stay out of poverty but still struggle to pay their bills. Without categorical eligibility, many ALICE families working their way to financial stability would reach the SNAP limit and instantly lose access to food assistance.

USDA wants to limit categorical eligibility because the agency believes people who don’t need help are taking advantage of it. By changing the rule, the agency estimates 3.1 million people will lose SNAP—about 8% of all SNAP recipients. If we apply that percentage to Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties, the rule change could affect 1,900 people of the 23,400 using SNAP in our area.

United Way believes no person should have to face a day without food. While some may raise concerns about how SNAP is administered, kicking millions of people out of the program isn’t the answer. It will hurt struggling families, especially older adults and children.

Here’s What You Can Do

Write to USDA and encourage them to keep the current rule so ALICE individuals and families won’t go hungry. USDA is taking public comment on the proposed rule change through Monday, Sept. 23. Click on this link to make your comment through the website.

You can also send your comment by email at SNAPPDBRules@usda.gov. Be sure to include “Docket ID Number [FNS-2018-0037], Revision of Categorical Eligibility in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance” in the subject line of the message.

If you prefer to comment by letter, send it to:
Program Design Branch, Program Development Division
Food and Nutrition Service
USDA
3101 Park Center Dr.
Alexandria, VA 22302

Although USDA can make this change without involving Congress, you can contact your representatives and ask them to stand up for SNAP and ALICE. Here are links to the websites for federal lawmakers from our region:
U.S. Rep. Justin Amash
U.S. Rep. Fred Upton
Sen. Gary Peters
Sen. Debbie Stabenow