The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), the think tank that analyzes the impact of federal and state government budget policies, presented two new reports outlining changes to the debt ceiling agreement to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs.
The experts wrote that “Changes to SNAP in the Debt Ceiling Agreement would increase hunger and poverty for many low-income seniors” and discussed the “TANF Provisions in the Debt Ceiling Agreement.”
The CBPP notes that while the provisions are a marked improvement over the harsh and ineffective provisions in the House-passed bill, they still increase ineffective work requirements such that could lead some states to reduce access to care.
Regarding SNAP, the CBPP, point out:
State Data Report Shows Debt Ceiling Deal Would Put Nearly 750,000 Seniors Ages 50-54 at Risk of Losing Food Assistance Through Expansion of Existing and Failed SNAP Work Reporting Requirement . Nearly half of those who would be at risk of losing SNAP are women.
Older adults who would recently be subject to this employment reporting requirement may be particularly vulnerable to losing benefits due to age-related employment challenges they face.
The settlement creates three new homeless waivers, veterans and people under the age of 25 who were previously in foster care. These new waivers could be a significant step in mitigating the harm of the SNAP work reporting requirement for people in these groups.
The need to create exemptions for certain vulnerable populations from the SNAP work reporting requirement highlights the underlying harm from this requirement in general and the failures of the exemption process.
When it comes to TANF, analysts note:
· Under current law, states must show that a certain proportion of parents receiving assistance are participating in a limited set of work activities for a prescribed number of hours each week. Existing flexibilities have allowed States to waive exemptions for beneficiaries who are unable to work and allow beneficiaries to participate in activities and services more appropriate to their needs and circumstances.
The agreement increases ineffective federal work requirements, but will have a more modest impact than the bill passed by the House of Representatives at recalibrate the case reduction credit and limit the count of families receiving small cash payments for the labor participation rate.
The agreement also includes two positive provisions of TANF: a House bill that requires all states to measure employment and earnings outcomes for recipients leaving TANFand another that adds a new pilot program that could help demonstrate how a results-focused approach instead of rigid requirements could improve outcomes for TANF recipients.
Keep reading:
· CBPP warns that Republican funding caps will affect vital programs for people in need
McCarthy Medicaid Proposal Puts Millions at Risk of Losing Health Coverage: CBPP
New York Medicaid-eligible homebound seniors at risk of losing home care: CDPAP