New Year's Disillusion
New Year’s Disillusion
By Chris Carbone
Why do we pretend that January 1st is something different than what it is? That it is some temporal wiper set to clean the slate; to repurpose all sins of yesteryear as prologue to something bigger, bolder, better. While “big, beautiful bill,” has a nice ring to it, and the government shutdown is over, lingering wounds from the latter and policies of “progress” from the former have set our neighbors in need up for failure in the new year. Here is what you need to know.
Many parts of H.R. 1 concerning the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), have already gone into effect as of December 1. Historically, SNAP has had certain work requirements for those who are deemed Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD). The age requirements for this have now gone up from 54 to 64. This means that folks who are on the precipice of senior-citizendom now have to prove they are either working at least 80 hours a month, or participate in an approved program, in order to receive SNAP. Additionally, parents with children 14 or younger are now subject to the new work requirements. Parents are legally required to provide for the child until they are 18. Make it make sense…
The same generous boost in the keister--prompting one to get up, dust themselves off, and figure out a way, has been granted to veterans, those experiencing homelessness, and former foster youth--all vulnerable populations whose collective situations are the reasons food assistance became a thing in the first place: keep folks healthy and sharp enough so they can get back on their feet.
Further, there is something now called non-citizen ineligibility. No, this is not regarding folks who are undocumented. These are people who hold work visas and greencards--human beings who work and live here…
Speaking of limitations; historically, there has been a three-month limit for all ABAWDs. This states that no one may receive more than three months’ worth of SNAP benefits in any three year period. H.R. 1 has put restrictions on a state's ability to suspend this in areas of high unemployment.
And, as if it were some rotten cherry on top--taunting those who would relish, God forbid, in three square and healthy meals a day, by snarling, “sorry, not for you!” H.R. 1 eliminates funding for SNAP-Ed--education on healthier eating and obesity prevention for SNAP beneficiaries.
Programs like SNAP are life-giving, not ambition-robbing. All of this can really be distilled down to this simple question: would you be able to go about your day on an empty stomach? Food is fuel and food is medicine. It is a baseline that every human being should have adequate access to; now and forever.