65,000 Kentucky Residents at Risk – SNAP Debate Heats Up as Lawmakers Weigh Changes Through Pandemic Fallout!

Kentucky Debates Controversial SNAP Changes with House Bill 367

Kentucky Residents Voices Concerns Over House Bill 367’s Impact on Hunger and Farmers

According to WDRB, in Kentucky, changes to the food assistance program known as SNAP are causing disagreements among lawmakers and Kentucky residents who care about the issue. House Bill 367 supported by Rep. Wade Williams wants to make it harder to qualify for SNAP benefits by getting rid of Broad-Based Categorial Eligibility (BBCE) and using a federal asset test to check income. Supporters say this will push more Americans to go back to work after the pandemic. But critics like AARP Kentucky and the Community Farm Alliance worry it could lead to hunger issues, affecting around 65,000 Kentucky residents if the bill becomes law.

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65000 Kentucky Residents at Risk – SNAP Debate Heats Up as Lawmakers Weigh Changes Through Pandemic Fallout! (PHOTO: Kentucky Lantern)

Opponents Highlight the Crucial Role of SNAP Benefits for Families, Schools, and Farmers in Kentucky 

Those against the bill such as Lexington resident Tania Whitfield stress how important SNAP benefits are for Kentucky residents going through tough times. There are also concerns about how the bill might affect schools since the SNAP application is linked to free lunch reimbursement rates. The Community Farm Alliance adds worries for small farmers in Kentucky as less SNAP benefits could mean less income especially for those who sell at farmers markets. The bill has passed the House and is waiting for a decision in the Senate highlighting the complex discussions around welfare programs and their impact on society.

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