Millions of people in the United States depend on SNAP to fill their pantries month after month. This program, popularly known as food stamps, has been a lifeline for many families. But, with Donald Trump preparing to assume the presidency for a second time, there are changes that could be on the way, and it’s important to be aware of them.
Currently, there is a law that allows states to replenish stolen SNAP coupons using federal funds. This ensures some stability for beneficiaries. However, thefts of this assistance have skyrocketed.
What is happening with SNAP coupons right now?
To give you an idea, in just the first quarter of 2024, there were over 179,000 cases of fraud, according to data collected by Newsweek. And things have not improved. In the third quarter, reports have exceeded 280,000.
Do you know how much money the states had to return to the affected families? More than 150 million dollars by December 2023. All this to help about 300,000 households that were left without their benefits after being victims of theft.
What could change with Trump?
So far, the protections that allow stolen coupons to be replaced are guaranteed until September 30, 2028. But Donald Trump, along with his running mate, J.D. Vance, have made it clear that they are not convinced by the temporary funding measures. And this, as you can imagine, has SNAP beneficiaries quite worried.
Food insecurity is a huge issue in the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), this occurs when families do not have constant access to enough food for an active and healthy life. The most concerning aspect is that this issue not only individuals living in extreme poverty, but also many working families who, due to high rents, unforeseen emergencies, and low wages, find it challenging to meet their basic needs.
What exactly is SNAP?
If you’ve never heard of the program, SNAP works through an electronic card (EBT) that allows beneficiaries to buy essential food at supermarkets and local markets. Although it may seem like a simple solution, for millions of people, it’s the difference between eating or not.
With possible changes on the horizon, the big question is: How will this affect those who depend on this assistance to survive? There’s still much to be seen, but one thing is clear: the political decisions made in the coming months could directly impact the lives of millions of people.