Twice in my life, I’ve had to rely on government assistance, and I’m incredibly thankful it was there. Years ago, my husband fell off a ladder and broke 15 bones. We lost one income, had to short-sell our house, and faced a mountain of medical bills. Medicaid and SNAP helped us feed our children and cover medical care while we got back on our feet. At the time, I was working for a nationally recognized science education organization and would later lead a nonprofit. Even with my experience, navigating the process to access help was frustrating. I remember thinking: if I’m struggling, what about people without the same education or support system? Ten years later, after moving to New Hampshire from Washington, DC, we found ourselves in a similar situation. While caring for my father through cancer treatment, my husband and I were both looking for work. When my severance benefits ended, we again turned to Medicaid and SNAP to help our family for four months until we found jobs. Even now, with two incomes, the rising cost of living makes things tight. But we were fortunate to have support when we needed it most. These programs didn’t just help us survive — they helped us recover. Access to Medicaid and SNAP is essential. They’re not just safety nets; they’re lifelines that help families rebuild after hardship.
Julie Brown
Wolfeboro