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In a nutshell: Protecting crucial public benefit programs

by Sophie Albert
| November 20, 2024 12:10 AM

Critical public benefit programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid face an uncertain future with the change of administration in January. Past policy proposals along with recent statements from GOP leaders suggest decreased benefits for millions of Americans.  

The recent report “Supporting Our Neighbors: Understanding Who Receives Public Assistance in Montana, For How Long, and Why” supported by the Headwaters Foundation shows that over 120,000 Montana families receive income-based public assistance each year. This number is equivalent to one in seven families. At least half of the enrolled households receive public assistance only for a short period of time, often due to caregiving responsibilities or changing family circumstances. Despite common beliefs, most of them are working families with children or older or disabled household members. These benefits are a critical support for our neighbors during challenging times.

SNAP is one of the most-effective food access programs, ensuring that over 42 million people nationwide can afford groceries each month. SNAP offers critical support to many of our neighbors, including elderly, families and rural community members. SNAP also contributes significantly to local economies, injecting a total of $160 million into the state of Montana last year through SNAP funds spent at local grocery stores and farmers markets. Most importantly, SNAP is the most dignified and flexible approach to food assistance, enabling people to access their benefits through an Electronic Benefits Transfer system at local stores.  

Medicaid provides health care access to more than 70 million low-income Americans. Significant cuts to the program would leave many families without alternatives for health care coverage.  

Advisors of president-elect Trump are considering changes to both programs, like stricter work requirements and changes to income thresholds that threaten to create barriers to public assistance and cut off benefits for millions, mostly working families. These changes are framed as cost-saving measures or steps toward reducing dependency. However, research has shown that these programs have long-term benefits not only for recipients but also for the economy as a whole.  

SNAP reduces food insecurity and improves health outcomes, while Medicaid ensures access to preventative care, lowering overall healthcare costs. Proposed changes would disproportionately harm community members with chronic illnesses, caregivers and community members working in low-wage or seasonal jobs. If healthcare costs increase, our neighbors will have to make difficult decisions between paying for doctors visits, housing or food. This would directly impact our communities’ public health and would put a significant strain on our local food banks, including North Valley Food Bank. We have seen the need for assistance more than triple over the past five years and it would be challenging to meet a further increase in the need for assistance.  

As our political landscape shifts, programs like SNAP and Medicaid remain lifelines for millions. Community care, compassion and bi-partisan support for our low-income neighbors are an opportunity to unite and strengthen the future of food security for all! To protect these programs, urge your representatives to protect Medicaid and to pass a new Farm Bill before the end of 2024 to protect and improve SNAP benefits! These efforts can help ensure that our neighbors do not have to make choices between paying for housing, utilities, or food, ultimately contributing to healthier and happier communities. 

Sophie Albert is executive director of the North Valley Food Bank in Whitefish.