Help Prevent the Loss of SNAP Benefits
The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW) sent a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service to notify them of the intent to reinstate an asset test for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, is an essential program in the fight against hunger. Pennsylvania eliminated the asset test in 2008 and 35 states currently have abandoned an asset test for SNAP benefits as it was found to be punitive to individuals effected by the downturn in the economy. The trend is to encourage poor families, many with children, to try to save to get out of poverty and not rely on government programs.
Older adults who want to live independently need savings to help with medical bills, household expenses and emergencies such as a new roof or heater repair. One unexpected illness or major home repair can wipe out a savings account making it difficult, if not impossible, for an older adult to remain at home. SNAP benefits are paid 100% by the federal government, with administrative costs shared by the state and federal governments. An asset test will cost Pennsylvania more to administer while causing thousands of recipients to lose benefits by DPW’s own estimates. According to the National Council on Aging, the asset test will disqualify over 50,000 older Pennsylvanians from getting an average of $98 per month in SNAP benefits, over 10,000 who currently get benefits and another 40,000 who are eligible but not enrolled.
Pennsylvania is proposing to reinstate an asset test on May 1, 2012. The elderly and disabled will not be allowed to have countable resources above $3,250 and other recipients may not exceed $2,000 in resources. These are the strictest limits permitted under federal law. While there are some exemptions such as a home, retirement benefits, and one car, this policy will create an additional barrier for those trying to get benefits and a more costly, labor intensive process for county assistance workers. The claim that this policy is related to the initiative to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse, within DPW is undermined by the fact that Pennsylvania won an award by the federal government for its operation of the SNAP program and has a 0.1% fraud rate, among the lowest in the nation.
To learn more about the asset test issue, visit The Hunger Coalition to view numerous resources including FAQs: How will an asset test hurt Pennsylvanians?
Many advocates are joining forces to help prevent this policy from being implemented and we need your help. AARP of PA is sponsoring a toll free hotline from January 23 – February 7. Callers will hear a brief description of the issue followed by a request to tell Governor Corbett to stop this proposal. Once callers enter their 5-digit zip code, they will be connected to the Governor’s Office. The AARP of PA number is 800-515-8134.
When calling, please tell Governor Corbett:
“Please withdraw the asset test proposal for SNAP benefits. This plan will hurt seniors, needy families, and Pennsylvania’s economy.”
You may also contact the Governor’s Office directly anytime with the same message. Here are various ways to contact him.
The Honorable Tom Corbett
Governor, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
225 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg PA 17120
Phone: 717-787-2500
Fax: 717-772-8284
Governor’s Southeast Office
200 South Broad Street, 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: 215-560-2640; Fax: 215-560-3458
Counties Served: Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Northampton, Montgomery and Philadelphia
Governor’s Northeast Office
Oppenheim Building 3rd floor, 409 Lackawanna Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503
Phone: 570-614-2090; Fax: 570-614-2094 (fax)
Counties Served: Tioga, Bradford, Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming, Lackawanna, Pike, Lycoming, Sullivan, Luzerne, Columbia, Montour, Schuykill, Carbon, Monroe, Union, Northumberland and Snyder
Governor’s Northwest Office
Suite 202, 100 State Street, Erie, PA 16507
Phone: 814-878-5719; Fax: 814-455-3709
Counties Served: Erie, Crawford, Mercer, Venango, Forest, Clarion, Jefferson, Elk, Warren, McKean, Potter, Cameron, Clinton, Clearfield and Centre
Governor’s Southwest Office
Piatt Place, 301 Fifth Avenue, Suite 240, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: 412-565-5700; Fax: 412-565-2445
Counties Served: Greene, Washington, Fayette, Allegheny, Westmoreland, Somerset, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, Armstrong, Indiana, Cambria, Blair, Bedford, Fulton and Huntingdon
Should you have any questions or need more information, please contact Kathy Cubit at cubit@carie.org. Thank you in advance for your help with this advocacy effort.
Posted 1/23/12
