File Photo
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, 35 million Americans experienced food insecurity.
By Forum Staff
U.S. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Rep. Alma Adams (D-N.C.) on Thursday announced the introduction of the Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2021, which would expand and strengthen the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for vulnerable community members that are struggling to make ends meet and open benefits to Puerto Rico and all U.S. territories.
According to the pols, even before the COVID-19 pandemic, 35 million Americans experienced food insecurity. Today, that number has increased to 42 million Americans, including an estimated 13 million children. The rising cost of food in America outpaces SNAP benefits each year, forcing families to choose between putting food on the table and covering other essential expenses. The Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2021 would help to address these issues by raising the baseline benefit for all SNAP households, allocating more funds to those with large medical and housing expenses, and increasing access to the program.
According to the elected officials, the Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2021 would:
- Increase the baseline for SNAP benefits by approximately 30 percent by using the Low-Cost Food Plan as the basis for the calculating the SNAP formula, to better take into account how much working people spend on food.
- Eliminate eligibility limits & unrealistic barriers by:Permanently authorizing the standard medical deduction in every state for seniors and disabled individuals applying for SNAP benefits at a minimum of $140. Individuals with high expenses could continue to apply for a higher, itemized medical deduction; eliminating the cap on the Excess Shelter Deduction in the SNAP formula for all households to take into account the cost of living for SNAP recipients in areas with high rent and utilities; eliminating time limits on benefits for all Americans.
- Expand benefits for territories, ending discrimination against those who live and work in U.S. territories by creating a path to transition them to SNAP and treating them as if they were states.
If implemented, the legislation would:
- Increase the minimum SNAP benefit from $16 per month pre-pandemic to $27 per month for a single or two person household;
- Increase SNAP benefits by approximately $80 per month for a single-parent household with one child;
- Provide $150 more per month in SNAP benefits for the average family of four.
“The United States was already facing a severe food crisis before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. We live in the richest nation in the world and yet, 42 million Americans are struggling with food insecurity. This is unacceptable,” Gillibrand said. “SNAP provides a critical lifeline for so many families and it needs support more than ever to meet the needs of SNAP recipients. I am proud to work with Congresswoman Adams on the Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2021 to enhance SNAP benefits, break down the barriers to eligibility, and keep food on the table for all Americans.”
