SNAP Time Limits: New Guidance From USDA |
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the end of remaining Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) time-limit waivers and new guidance that will force major changes across the country. Starting this winter, millions of adults — including caregivers, veterans, older workers, and people experiencing homelessness — could lose food assistance under expanded time limits passed in the budget reconciliation law (H.R. 1). These changes will increase hardship for families, strain state agencies, and weaken local economies. FRAC’s new Q&A breaks down what’s changing, when it takes effect, and how advocates can help protect those most at risk. Also read FRAC’s statement.
|
|
|
The government has now been shutdown for 10 days. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is considering introducing individual funding bills, such as one for USDA, to gradually reopen the government, according to Axios. This approach would need support from Democrats to advance. See how the shutdown could impact the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the child nutrition programs.
WIC: The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will remain open as long as funding is available. USDA has distributed to states contingency funds and, on Wednesday evening, sent out reallocated funds left over from fiscal year 2025. A few states have committed to using state funds, if needed, as well. See FRAC’s blog for an overview of federal and state funding that can be used for WIC during the shutdown. Advocates should urge their states to commit state resources if necessary, to ensure th.at WIC participants do not lose access during the shutdown. Check the WIC state agency's website or WIC app for updates.
The White House this week announced its intent to secure funds to keep WIC operational for longer. According to Politico, USDA briefed congressional staff on plans to use authority under Section 32 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1935 to transfer approximately $300 million in unobligated child nutrition program funds for WIC.
|
|
|
FRAC Annual Benefit Breakfast |
"Feeding Communities: SNAP Matters" was the focus of FRAC's Annual Benefit Breakfast this week at the National Press Club, which was widely attended by representatives from the business, philanthropic, policy, and labor sectors.
This annual fundraiser provides critical support for FRAC’s Campaign to End Childhood Hunger. Ambassador Eric Bost, deputy director, Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture and Development, Texas A&M University, moderated a discussion with Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard of Mount Vernon, New York, Charlotte Bruce, director of policy at Children’s HealthWatch, and Gina Plata-Nino, JD, FRAC’s interim SNAP director on how the historic SNAP cuts will undermine the promise of the program for millions of families, farmers, food retailers, and the economy. Plata-Nino shared FRAC’s multi-pronged strategy to mitigate the harm of the cuts.
|
| |
Take Action to Repeal SNAP Cuts |
Plans to introduce the Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act of 2025, which would repeal the damaging H.R. 1 SNAP cuts, have been pushed back because of the shutdown.
Organizations: Join over 1,300 organizations in signing and sharing this letter urging Congress to cosponsor the bill. The deadline to sign on has been extended to Wednesday, October 15. For a list of current signatories in your state, email Tim Klipp-Lockhart (tklipp-...@frac.org) or Nomi Small (nsm...@frac.org). See here for a list of members that have not cosponsored in the House.
Individuals: Use the FRAC Action Network (FAN) to urge your Members of Congress to reject any Farm Bill that does not address the SNAP cuts and to actively pursue every legislative avenue to restore SNAP. |
|
|
The 2026 FRAC National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference is seeking session proposals. Submit applications here by November 14. The conference will be held April 26–28 in Washington, D.C. |
|
|
National School Lunch Week |
Join FRAC October 13–17, for an action each day to celebrate the National School Lunch Program, which provides nearly 30 million children a nutritious meal each school day. Promote the benefits of school lunch, share best practices for increasing student participation, advocate against SNAP cuts that may hinder children’s access to free school meals, and raise your hand for Healthy School Meals for All.
|
|
|
Rapid-Response Webinar on the Future of the Food Security Supplement |
On Tuesday, FRAC, dataindex.us, the Association of Public Data Users (APDU), and the Population Reference Bureau (PRB) held a rapid-response webinar on the future of the Food Security Supplement (FSS). FRAC, with its partners, is working to protect this essential dataset — the only nationally representative measure of household food insecurity in the U.S. The discussion underscored how critical the FSS is for shaping hunger and nutrition policy, guiding research, and ensuring accountability in programs like SNAP and WIC.
– Read FRAC’s Let’s be Crystal Clear blog for FRAC President Crystal FitzSimon’s perspective on what the loss of this data will mean for addressing hunger.
– Submit a comment to your state Department of Agriculture: tinyurl.com/dataindex-FSS-comment (by October 21).
– Email your Member of Congress through FRAC’s Action Alert: tinyurl.com/FRAC-FAN-Action-Alert.
– Join the 2025 USDA Data Users’ Meeting on October 21 to hear agency reviews and participate in an open forum: tinyurl.com/USDA-data-users-meeting. |
|
|
Webinar: Funding SNAP in the Wake of H.R. 1 – Creative State Solutions for Protecting Families and Communities |
H.R. 1 delivers historic tax cuts to corporations and billionaires while slashing $187 billion from SNAP — shifting massive costs to states and families. But states aren’t powerless. Join FRAC, Fairshare America, and State Revenue Alliance on October 21 to explore bold, equitable revenue solutions that can keep food assistance strong. Learn how smart fiscal policy can protect SNAP, strengthen local economies, and ensure families don’t go hungry. Register now.
|
|
|
Tackling College Hunger in North and South Carolina |
Colleges and universities across both states have joined forces to tackle hunger in higher education through the Carolinas College SNAP Workgroup, launched after the 2024 Carolinas College Food Insecurity Summit. With nearly 90 members representing colleges, food banks, nonprofits, and state agencies, the workgroup is driving change through advocacy, outreach, and SNAP training. Their accomplishments include publishing the 2024 South Carolina College Food Insecurity Report and planning the 2025 Summit with Newberry College. As H.R. 1 threatens to make it even harder for low-income and first-generation students to access economic mobility, this collaboration shows what’s possible when states unite to fight hunger on campus.
|
|
|
SNAP Benefit Theft Still Rising Nationwide |
As families struggle with rising food costs, SNAP benefit theft, or “skimming,” remains a growing concern. A recent U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found over $320 million in stolen benefits, largely because most SNAP Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards lack standard anti-fraud chips. USDA has encouraged states to explore security measures like card-locking features, but it has yet to assess how widely these protections are used. FRAC urges Congress and USDA to act quickly and ensure states adopt stronger safeguards. Without decisive action, millions risk losing critical food assistance to preventable fraud at a time when families can least afford it.
|
|
|
The Food Research & Action Center improves the nutrition, health, and well-being of people struggling against poverty-related hunger in the United States through advocacy, partnerships, and by advancing bold and equitable policy solutions. To learn more, visit FRAC.org and follow us on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky.
|
|
|
Food Research & Action Center
11 Dupont Circle
#500
Washington, DC 20036
United States |
|
|
If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please unsubscribe. |
|
|
|
