Delay or stop SNAP cost shift
In a wealthy nation like ours, no one should go hungry.
But already this year, 4 million U.S. families and children have lost SNAP benefits, even as the administration spends $268.9 billion on mass deportations and now wants $70 billion for the Iran war. (Together enough for a hundred billion SNAP meals at $2.84 each.)
And it will get worse. Historically, the federal government covered all SNAP benefits and shared administrative costs, with them paying 75% and the states 25%. As of next year, under the Republicans’ Big “Beautiful” Bill, SNAP costs will be shifted to the states based on clerical “error rates.” In New Hampshire, where the “error” rate is 8.85%, the state will need to raise $15 million to cover SNAP benefits for residents.
But wait: our New Hampshire legislature has declined to do this, so in 2027, many of the 76,000 NH SNAP recipients — households with children, veterans, older residents, people with disabilities — will go hungry. Meanwhile in Antrim, food banks are already straining. Without SNAP, we will see a crisis.
Please urge Senators Shaheen and Hassan and Representatives Goodlander and Pappas to undo or at least delay this “cost shift” until 2030. Already, six states have this delay, providing time to prepare. It should apply to all states.
And delay or not, it is incumbent upon the New Hampshire legislature to prepare for this cost shift. We cannot allow our fellow New Hampshirites to go hungry. Lawmakers, what is your plan?