Governor Josh Stein, along with 22 other governors, is urging Congress to maintain support for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This federal program provides food benefits to over 42 million Americans. The group of governors warns that current congressional proposals could jeopardize SNAP’s future.
“SNAP has impacts far beyond the people who receive its benefits. It improves overall health, helps rural grocery stores stay open, and maintains our thriving agriculture industry,” Governor Stein stated. He emphasized the importance of rejecting proposals that could threaten public health and well-being.
Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai expressed concern about potential shifts in SNAP costs from the federal government to states and counties. “A shift of this scale in SNAP costs to states and counties, coupled with the proposed devastating cuts to Medicaid, pose a serious threat to the health and well-being of millions of North Carolinians,” Sangvai said.
Currently, the federal government covers all food benefit costs under SNAP and half of administrative expenses for each state. However, new proposals suggest shifting up to 25% of these costs onto states. For North Carolina alone, this could mean an additional expense of up to $700 million annually.
The letter signed by 23 governors highlights how critical SNAP is for addressing hunger and improving health outcomes nationwide. In North Carolina, more than 1.4 million residents rely on this program. The economic impact extends beyond individuals; it supports jobs across various sectors including agriculture and transportation.
With grocery prices remaining high, food banks are unable to replace what a robust federal nutrition program like SNAP can provide. Each dollar spent through SNAP contributes significantly back into local economies.
Given that SNAP operates under federal guidelines with set eligibility criteria, states have limited means to control enrollment numbers even during economic downturns or natural disasters. Following Hurricane Helene’s devastation, Disaster-SNAP (D-SNAP) became essential for many families affected by the storm.
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