Arlington, VA, July 25, 2019 – The following is a statement by James Firman, President and CEO of the National Council on Aging (NCOA), regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposed rule, dated July 16, 2019, to revise categorical eligibility in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP):
“For the past seven decades, NCOA has worked to create a just and caring society where all Americans can age with dignity and financial security. We are extremely concerned by the USDA’s newly published proposal to limit eligibility for SNAP benefits, which by the agency’s own admission will lead to food insecurity for millions of vulnerable Americans.
According to the USDA, approximately 13.2 percent of all SNAP households with elderly members will lose benefits under the proposed rule. An estimated 4.7 million older adults receive SNAP benefits, which means that a minimum of 620,000 older individuals will lose critical benefits that help them afford nutritious food. These vulnerable aging Americans will be forced to choose between protecting their meager savings in case of a health emergency or keeping food on their tables.
We believe this proposal does not reflect the principles of a just and caring America. In fact, it was rejected by Congress when it was debated as part of the recent Farm bill.
NCOA urges the USDA to immediately rescind this proposal. NCOA plans to advocate against the proposed rule and will submit comments to that effect.
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