An idea from the Trump administration to replace a food stamp method of receiving meal assistance started controversy around the United States.
The plan labeled “America’s Harvest Box” calls for recipients to receive a pre-assembled box of food instead of a traditional cash-on-a-card method through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Sarah Bradshaw, director of the Sampson County Department of Social Services, stressed that it’s too early in the process to provide an outlook. Bradshaw also emphasized that she doesn’t want people to panic, despite what they hear in the news.
“You can’t just read some articles and understand what this full proposal would entail,” Bradshaw said regarding a decade-long plan.
Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney reported that the plan, which is in Donald Trump’s 2019 budget, could save nearly $130 billion in 10 years. Many Democrats against the idea believe its purpose is to punish people who are classified as low-income.
Other supporters of the current SNAP methods with cards give recipients dignity to make their own food choices. They also believe the plan coming from the White House is demeaning and makes users look untrustworthy.
As of now, Bradshaw doesn’t know who would qualify or be excluded, especially when it comes to special needs, health issues or exemptions.
“How would medical needs, allergies and different needs be factored in?”
According to Associated Reports, some law makers an critics had the same questions when it comes to nutrition. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., the ranking member of the House nutrition subcommittee called the proposal a “cruel joke” that came out of nowhere.
“I don’t even know how to implement it. Who would distribute these boxes?” he said. “How would we do this? Do they anticipate recipients getting them at supermarkets? In addition to being a cruel and demeaning and awful idea, it’s just not practical.”
But Bradshaw said she’s accustomed to understanding that the department has to research to find out how all components of a proposed change factor in with one another.
“To understand how they’re going to handle the boxed food delivery needs to be taken together with understanding eligibility policy changes that are going to come,” she said.
When it comes to a 10-year federal plans, Bradshaw said it’s really important to understand the first years and what’s coming up in the future. Like many health leaders, she’s waiting to see what action federal lawmakers are going to take first.
According to Associated Reports, households that receive more than $90 in SNAP benefits each month would be effected. This accounts for 81 percent or 16.4 million. Current policies walks department officials through a variety of different needs.
“Some folks become unemployed or sick and find themselves applying for assistance,” she said. “They find that it’s a temporary need for them and they rebound, get off the program or don’t need as much.”
The proposal is part of a broader plan to gut the SNAP program, reducing it by roughly $213 billion — nearly 30 percent — over the next decade. The plan also proposes tighter requirements for recipients.
As always, Bradshaw said the department will continue to receive more information in the future when it come to the program.