Statement from Code for America CEO on USDA’s Decision to Partially Fund SNAP

“Now is not the time for half measures—the U.S. Department of Agriculture should move to prevent food insecurity for millions of households by fully funding the November benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 

“Delivering SNAP with only part of the necessary funding will do little to resolve uncertainty for the millions of parents, older adults, and veterans eligible for critical food assistance benefits. In fact, it creates a logistical nightmare. Partial funding will add another layer of complexity as states work to recalculate benefits, further delaying their release. State agencies are already stretched to the breaking point, and now they’re expected to implement complex changes overnight with zero preparation time. Meanwhile, new applicants—including people who qualify for immediate emergency help—will be left waiting for assistance.

“Millions of Americans across the country are already experiencing the devastating impacts of this ongoing lapse in benefits. Parents are skipping meals so their children can eat. People with serious medical conditions are being forced to choose less healthy foods. Older adults are delaying lifesaving medication just to afford groceries.

“Our leaders in Washington must act to fully restore the stability families deserve. Every single day of delay means more suffering, more hunger, more desperation. This isn’t complicated—fund the program fully and do it today. Anything less is a choice to let Americans go hungry.”