The deal to raise the nation’s debt ceiling places new work requirements for many of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program beneficiaries.
The Republican-controlled House of Representatives gave the go-ahead to the deal on Wednesday; The measure is expected to be taken up by the Democrat-led US Senate in the coming days and sent to President Joe Biden to avoid a default.
For Republicans, the change is part of a broader effort to curb spending at the national level in the coming years while encouraging more people to return to work. But anti-hunger advocates are concerned about the effect the change will have on New Yorkers who have received food assistance.
The change will extend work requirements for healthy adults aged 50-54 after 2025.
Still, the deal has exemptions for SNAP, including veterans experiencing homelessness, which will lead to increased spending on the program over the next decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
The CBO estimates this week about 78,000 people across the country would get benefits.
But No Kid Hungry New York expressed concern Thursday with the new requirements, pointing to an analysis which found that 45,000 New Yorkers between the ages of 50 and 54 could lose federal food assistance as a result of the benefit.
“We all recognize the catastrophic impact of a default, but we are disappointed that this settlement includes policy changes that harm people suffering from hunger and poverty,” said Rachel Sabella, the group’s director. “We shouldn’t be playing politics with programs that help. Americans get their basic needs met. Nearly 3 million New Yorkers depend on SNAP to pay for groceries and put food on the table. These are our neighbors, not political pawns. And restricting their benefits has always been more about serving political talking points than saving money.”
A surge in pandemic-era assistance increased the monthly food assistance allotment for families in New York State. But Republicans, including Rep. Claudia Tenney, pointed to the deal as one that will “boost jobs and increase accountability.”
“By implementing these spending cuts and achieving these important tax reforms, we are holding the White House and Senate Democrats accountable,” Tenney said. “There is much more work to be done, and this legislation marks the beginning of the process, not the end. House Republicans will continue to lead the way to limit out-of-control spending, save taxpayer dollars, lower taxes and grow our economy.”
