States Want to Ease Food Stamp Rules

April 9, 2020
Governors of several states are asking the federal government to loosen the rules for food assistance.

Governors of several states are asking the federal government to loosen the rules for food assistance to allow recipients to buy groceries online, have them delivered and make other accommodations.

California, Pennsylvania, Arizona and other states are asking for various exemptions in the rules governing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), popularly known as food stamps, in light of the crisis brought about by the coronavirus situation. Among the requests are:

  • Letting SNAP recipients order groceries online;
  • Allowing them to use Instacart and other delivery services;
  • Waiving the in-person interview requirement for new SNAP applicants;
  • Allowing SNAP to pay for cooked or otherwise prepared food;
  • Increasing the amount of groceries that can be bought at one time.

Governors and others say the issue is vital because many SNAP recipients are elderly or have health conditions that leave them especially vulnerable to COVID-19. In addition, widespread business closures are throwing millions out of work, increasing the need for food assistance.

The issue is complicated by the Trump administration’s attempt to stop states from waiving work requirements for able-bodied adults. The USDA’s attempt to do so, which would have thrown an estimated 700,000 individuals off the SNAP rolls, was blocked by a federal judge. The USDA vowed to appeal, but is putting the issue on hold, and the federal relief package passed by Congress contains a blanket waiver of the work requirement.

Sponsored Recommendations

Kaeser is the world’s leading air systems specialist and offers a full range of compressed air solutions for almost any application. From industrial compress...
Take a moment to see the scope of Kaeser's commitment to innovative system designs that guarantee ultra-reliable compressed air, easy maintenance, and greater efficiency.
Ventilation has a huge impact on the ambient temperature in the compressor room and is often the missing link to temperature regulation issues. Here are four factors to consider...
Learn how to get a smart, reliable, energy-efficient compressed air system delivered in a turnkey, weatherproof and temperature-controlled enclosure that needs little or no onsite...