Letter to Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, Chairman Pat Roberts, and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow - Meng and Espaillat Urge Senate to Allow Hot Food for SNAP Program

Letter

Dear Majority Leader McConnell, Minority Leader Schumer, Chairman Roberts, and Ranking Member Stabenow:

As you consider the next COVID supplemental bill, we write to urge you to include the following hot food SNAP eligibility exception in the Senate package, which was included in the HEROES Act:

"During the period beginning 10 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on the termination date of the COVID-19 public health emergency, the term "food", as defined in section 3 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 USC 2012), shall be deemed to exclude "hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption other than those authorized pursuant to clauses (3), (4), (5), (7), (8), and (9) of this subsection," for purposes of such Act, except that such exclusion is limited to retail food stores authorized to accept and redeem supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits as of the date of enactment of this Act."

Prior to the COVID-19 public health crisis, 37 million Americans relied on SNAP benefits to buy food each month. Of the more than 37 million SNAP participants, nearly 70 percent are children, elderly, or have disabilities. The importance of this program cannot be understated: SNAP makes it possible for many of our constituents and neighbors to put food on their tables as they work toward financial stability. Unfortunately, in the midst of the crisis, over 17.8 million Americans are unemployed. No doubt, unemployment rates will continue to skyrocket.

Under normal circumstances, SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase hot food; however, allowing flexibility for the duration of the pandemic would ease the burden families face to provide nutritious foods for their families. Further, for essential employees who qualify for SNAP and are risking their lives to maintain their jobs, the ability to purchase hot food will ease the burden of having to cook full meals during this stressful time. These waivers have been requested by governors of both parties across the country.

While food supply chains have become more stable since March, we are still seeing disruptions in the canned goods, meat, cheese, and egg markets. We cannot predict the impact of the next waves of the pandemic or how those who are the hungriest among us will fare.

This is not the time to add additional burdens to those suffering; EBT benefits must meet the needs of the moment. We urge you to include hot food exceptions to SNAP into the next COVID supplemental package.