Farm Bill, ARRA & Food Stamps

Sept. 30, Oct. 1 & Nov. 1

Farm Bill Process

June: Senate passed a Farm Bill that cuts $4.1 billion

from food stamps by eliminating “Heat & Eat” - allows Basic Food-eligible households to receive LIHEAP and use standard utility deduction to streamline enrollment process (no utility costs paperwork required)

Also created first-ever federal lifetime ban for certain felons

Farm Bill ProcessHouse floor debate resulted in many

amendments that added up to $40 billion in cuts and major changes in eligibility, outreach and more.

Farm Bill died in the House - not enough ‘yes’ votes.

Farm Bill

July: House voted to split apart Farm Bill into 2 parts:

Ag-only bill and Nutrition.

Ag-only bill passed. No bill was introduced for Nutrition (food stamps & programs for food banks) before Congress recessed for August.

Farm Bill

NOW: House leadership (Rs) will release Nutrition bill,

‘SNAP Reform and Opportunity’ – maybe today. House vote possible next week.

It will cut $40 billion from SNAP: no Heat & Eat, no Categorical Eligibility, new work requirements to receive benefits, incentives to states to cut caseloads, changes in outreach contracts and more.

Sept. 30 DeadlineIf no agreement between House & Senate by

deadline, Farm Bill expires, as does funding for many parts of federal government – government shut down.

Solution: A Continuing Resolution: keep everything the

same as now for a defined period.

Advocacy Opportunities

Anti-Hunger & Nutrition Coalition: www.WSAHNC.org Click on “Our Priorities in DC” to download &

print our Empty Refrigerator campaign

Call or fax your member of Congress

Oct. 1 Annual AdjustmentEvery Oct. 1, food stamp benefits are adjusted to

reflect changes in the cost of living.

It is expected that benefits will increase slightly on Oct. 1 for most households to reflect higher cost of living (mostly due to higher food costs).

ARRA and Nov. 1In the depths of the recession in 2009, the

American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA, or “stimulus package”) passed to stimulate the economy.

ARRA included a temporary 14% increase in food stamp benefits – this is expected to expire Nov. 1.

Benefit changes for clients this fall:

Oct. 1 – Slight increase for most because of annual cost of living adjustment

Nov. 1 – Decrease of approx. 14% for most because of end of ARRA boost in benefits.

Changes for a household with NO income

Household Size

Oct. 1, 2013 (ARRA level)

Nov. 1, 2013 Difference

1 $200 $189 -$11

2 $367 $347 -$20

3 $526 $497 -$29

4 $668 $632 -$36

5 $793 $750 -$43

6 $952 $900 -$52

7 $1,052 $995 -$57

8 $1,202 $1,137 -$65

Add on $150 $142 -$8