In this moment, the future of our rights, our bodily autonomy, our freedom feels uncertain. What we do next will make a difference for decades to come.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is critical to the economic security, health, and well-being of women and girls. SNAP lifted 3.1 million people out of poverty in 2018. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2018, SNAP served more than 39.7 million people in 19.7 million households on average each month. Women make up 63 percent of adult SNAP recipients. Despite Congress passing a bipartisan Farm Bill last year that protects SNAP, the Trump Administration proposed a third rule that would cut SNAP benefits for millions of people.
NWLC submitted a comment to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (UDSA) opposing this proposed rule that would take away states’ flexibilities in setting their Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) calculations. NWLC’s comment described the importance of women heating and cooling their homes while also needing to put food on their tables. The comment breaks down the harmful impact of the proposed rule on women with low incomes, caregivers, women of color and their families, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault, seniors, and children.