Tell the Trump Administration and USDA #HandsOffSnap (again!)!

At the end of July, the Trump Administration proposed a new rule that would make it harder for working families to put food on the table. This time they are going after “Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility” (or “Cat El”).

Cat El is a wonky policy that gives states’ options to eliminate SNAP asset tests and use a higher income test. This means that more working households that have significant expenses for housing and child care can qualify for SNAP.

The USDA rule would gut this essential policy and is estimated to eliminate SNAP benefits for 3.1 million individuals, take free school meals away from the children in those families, punish people with even meager savings, and hurt local grocery stores and the agriculture industry.

**Sign our letter today to tell the Trump Administration and USDA #HandsOffSnap (again!)**

(We will be collecting signatures through September and will deliver them in an official MomsRising comment speaking out against this harmful rule).

Dear President Trump and Secretary Perdue,

On behalf of MomsRising, which serves over a million members around the country, we want to take a firm stand against USDA’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on a Revision of Categorical Eligibility in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Moms, dads, and concerned people from around the country are speaking out against this harmful, unnecessary, and overreaching proposed policy because it will lead to hard working families not being able to access the food they desperately need.

The proposed changes would cause serious harm to moms, children, and hard working families in our community and the nation. Such a policy is estimated to eliminate SNAP benefits for 3.1 million individuals, take free school meals away from 500,000 children, and punish people with even meager savings. The proposed rule should be withdrawn immediately.

SNAP plays a critical role in addressing hunger and food insecurity in our community. It is the first line of defense against hunger for low-income residents. The proposed rule would gut states’ options to eliminate SNAP asset tests and use a higher income test to serve more working households that have significant expenses for shelter and child care. The current policy option is known as “Broad- Based Categorical Eligibility” (or “Cat El”). Cat El policies have been in place for more than two decades. Congress rejected efforts to gut Cat El, including during its consideration of 2005 budget reconciliation and the recent 2018 Farm Bill. This USDA rulemaking is an attempt to sidestep Congress and is outside USDA’s authority.

Once again, the Administration is creating a problem out of nothing. We know SNAP works. We ask that you find ways to strengthen, not weaken it. Please listen to the voices of mothers and concerned individuals to stop this harmful yet ineffective proposal that will result in Americans going hungry and suffering even more.

Sincerely,

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