Virginians receiving SNAP benefits may soon have an issue
Virginians who qualify for SNAP benefits took a hit this summer when extended benefits during COVID-19 were cut. There is a possibility that there could be another setback in October.
Eddie Oliver the Executive Director of the Federation of Virginia Food Banks has confirmed that SNAP benefits are not enough for anyone to live on and that Food Banks cannot adequately supply all those in need. This is why he is concerned about what will happen to families in need if the Farm Bill is allowed to expire.
The Farm Bill covers focus areas from crops and livestock to rural development and access to food. SNAP makes up about 80% of its funding. Several farm bill programs are slated to expire at the end of September.
In 2013, the USDA helped appropriate emergency funding for the SNAP program until Congress passed the Farm Bill. Oliver said the future beyond October is not certain and he expressed concern about a potential government shutdown that would impact benefit recipients. If the current deadline is not emergency funding intervention could potentially happen again.
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