Texas Food Stamp Program in Peril

From the TSEU Email:

Food Stamp Program (SNAP)
in Peril

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Call your legislators today and tell them to stand up for SNAP and state workers in HHSC!
Ask them to oppose proposals to cap or reduce funding, restrict eligibility or reduce benefits in SNAP – and that efforts should be made to strengthen, not weaken the program.

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Call Your Senators Toll Free: 1-877-698-8228*
* You will be directed to the offices of your Senators

Call Your House Members: 202-225-3121 (Capitol Switchboard)

In the coming weeks, committees in the U.S. House and Senate will be making critical decisions regarding the SNAP/Food Stamp program. The House of Representatives Agriculture Committee advised major cuts last Wednesday. The proposed measure would reduce the food stamp monthly benefit for a family of four by almost $60, repealing increases that were enacted three years ago as part of Obama's economic stimulus. The administration estimates the changes would also force up to 3 million people out of the program by tightening eligibility rules.

Texas already has some of the most restrictive eligibility requirements for food stamps, and any changes in the formula to requirements would be harmful to Texas families.

Any reduction in spending on the program by the federal government would be harmful to Texas Health and Human Services Commission (which administers the program) that already operates with a bare bones budget.

TSEU members in HHSC are already working long hours because of underfunding by the Texas legislature. Cuts from the federal level would only make this problem worse.