1 Million Marshallese Families to Benefit – COFA Citizens Gain Immediate Access to SNAP Benefits

Marshallese people in the U.S. through the COFA Act can now access SNAP benefits immediately, easing financial burdens and improving food security for many families.

COFA Citizens Can Now Access SNAP Benefits with No Waiting Period

Marshallese people living in the United States through the Compact of Free Association (COFA) Act can now quickly get Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The COFA Act, passed in 1985 allowed people from Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau to live and work legally in the U.S. But it wasn’t until the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 that lawmakers allowed COFA citizens to get federal public benefits without a waiting period, according to the report of KNWA.

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(photo: Hawaii Public Radio)

New Policy to Improve Access to Food Assistance for Marshallese Families in the US

This change will greatly help Marshallese families especially in places like Springdale, Arkansas, where many Marshallese people live. Carolina Bien, from the Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese said that many families have trouble paying all their bills even though they work hard. “No matter how many hours you put into your work, it’s still not enough to pay every expense and food also,” Bien said showing how important SNAP benefits are in helping with these costs.

To get SNAP benefits and the amount of money your household makes and the size of your household are considered. You can apply for SNAP benefits online, in person at a local Department of Human Services Office, or over the phone. This makes it easy for many people to apply. This new policy is an important step in helping the Marshallese community have a more stable and secure life in the U.S.

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