On February 22nd, the Kentucky House of Representatives approved a bill aimed at limiting access to food assistance, potentially exacerbating food insecurity for thousands of low-income individuals.
Known as House Bill (HB) 367, the legislation passed in the Republican-dominated chamber with a vote of 61 to 33.
HB 367 intends to reintroduce asset testing for beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, which provides monthly assistance to individuals with low incomes.
The bill now awaits deliberation in the Republican-controlled state Senate before reaching Democratic Governor Andy Beshear for consideration.
If Governor Beshear chooses to veto the bill, his decision could be overridden by the legislature, similar to the outcome of previous food stamp reduction measures in 2022.
Kentucky Leads in Senior Food Insecurity
With increasing numbers of individuals in the United States grappling with food accessibility issues, the risk of malnutrition has heightened.
Feeding America, a network of food banks, reports that Kentucky currently exhibits the highest rate of food insecurity among older adults nationwide.
Approximately 580,000 residents of Kentucky experience hunger, including 154,290 children. This statistic translates to one in eight individuals in Kentucky and one in seven children.
Moreover, a significant portion of the population remains precariously close to experiencing a similar crisis, as they are just one financial emergency away from encountering food insecurity.
Kentucky SNAP Criteria: Income and ‘Able-Bodied’ Status
Currently, in Kentucky, eligibility for SNAP benefits necessitates an individual to fall at or below the federal poverty level and meet the criteria of being “able-bodied” to work part-time for a minimum of 20 hours per week.
As per Kentucky state law, an individual is classified as “able-bodied” if they are between the ages of 18 and 60.
This classification implies that the individual is presumed capable of both physical and mental work unless medically determined otherwise.
Furthermore, they must not bear primary responsibility for the care of a dependent child or disabled adult.
Republican Representative Wade Williams, sponsor of the bill, asserts that its primary aim is to re-engage individuals in the workforce.
However, House Bill (HB) 367 would curtail the Cabinet for Health and Family Services’ authority to waive these requirements and relax standards during periods of “economic distress” without legislative approval.
This provision would grant the legislature greater oversight over SNAP work mandates.
This legislative measure is likely to exacerbate food insecurity among the majority of recipients of food assistance, including children and the elderly.
Kentucky has persistently ranked unfavorably in various socioeconomic indicators such as poverty rates, labor force participation, substance abuse, incarceration rates, among others, for several decades.
