SNAP changes would stop delays in application process

As many of us sat down with family to enjoy a meal this past holiday season, it is worrisome how many families are suffering from food insecurity. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 17 million households were food insecure at some time during 2022. That is significantly higher than the 13.5 million in 2021. And unlike the ongoing battle against the increase in food prices, this rising crisis has quick and tangible solutions — if only states were given the flexibility to address them.

Many hard-working Americans struggle to make ends meet and must rely on SNAP benefits for help. In total, about one in five Americans participate in the SNAP program. Right now, roughly one in eight people in the military need SNAP. Too often these Americans cannot jump through the bureaucratic hoops in order to put food on their table in a timely manner.

With inflation outpacing wages, the food assistance programs are now more important than ever, but COVID-era backlogs combined with a shortage of human services workers at both the local and state levels have left many states unable to meet the federal requirement to process SNAP applications within 30 days. These delays exist in at least 32 states and are causing families in need to instead wait three to four months — more than double the anticipated wait.

This is why I have introduced legislation to reform the way SNAP is administered and ensure people who need the benefits are able to receive them in a timely manner. The proposed legislation aims to give states an option to expedite processing by retaining experts and temporary contractors to ease the backlog.

The SNAP program is currently constrained by a set of 1970s-era prohibitions which bar such flexibilities, including the hiring of contractors to assist in processing applications. In contrast, most federally funded/state administered programs such as CHIP, Medicaid, ACA, and employment and training programs among others, allow program flexibility. There’s simply no reason SNAP should be alone in not doing so. As such, my legislation provides states the authority to temporarily hire contractors when SNAP backlogs occur, so Americans receive food assistance when they need it.

Moreover, contrary to what some believe, my legislation does not in any way threaten the jobs of current public employees — in fact, it specifically requires that contractors be used only to supplement, not supplant, the existing public workforce. The plan would also not impact any collective bargaining provisions agreed to between states and employee organizations. Contractors would only be retained to assist in eliminating backlogs or working in response to natural disasters or public health emergencies.   

Virtually every state and local government faces historic workforce gaps. In fact, the Census Bureau has estimated that there are nearly 600,000 fewer state and local government employees than there were just a few years ago. In many places around the country, such as New York City, 20-25 percent of positions in human services agencies are currently vacant. Published reports indicate that New York City is processing fewer than 40 percent of SNAP applications on time. Similar issues exist in Georgia where, as of last August, over 83,000 SNAP applications were stuck in application limbo. Prior to Thanksgiving, the Georgia Department of Human Services admitted to serious processing delays and advised applicants to seek assistance from local food banks.

On top of that, we know that the private sector is generally well ahead of the government when it comes to innovation and implementing new technologies that increase efficiency and accuracy. Since we are seeing unacceptably high levels of improper payments under the SNAP program, accessing these capabilities can help ensure beneficiaries get their benefits in a timely manner and ensure important improvements in the integrity of the program.

Program improvements to SNAP are critical to Americans in all states — rural or urban, blue or red. And at a time of year in which we gather, celebrate, and indulge with loved ones, we cannot forget those most in need of food assistance. My bill is the only legislative solution being offered to address SNAP application process delays at the state level and at no added cost to taxpayers. I am working to ensure that my legislation to modernize the SNAP administration is included in the upcoming farm bill, and I hope colleagues on a bipartisan basis will join me.

Don Bacon has served the 2nd District and on the House Agriculture Committee since 2017. He grew up and worked on a farm in Illinois.