"We’re literally living from paycheck to paycheck." Proposed GOP cuts to SNAP could leave millions food-insecureĪs the nation rapidly approaches the debt ceiling deadline, which economists say could result in a catastrophic default, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and House Republicans laud a plan that could cut many off from federal food assistance. "I have to bring home that extra money if I want to have a little bit set aside for any other expenses," Rodriquez said. But even with the overtime, it's not always enough.
To keep up with her bills, Rodriquez, 42, has to work longer hours throughout the week at her retail job because $17 an hour, 40 hours a week, is not sufficient to cover her rent, monthly bills and food costs. “I just went out and got a gallon of milk and a box of pancake mix because I had about $19 left in my food stamps card because I’m trying to stretch it as much as possible until my next payout.” Like right now I don’t have anything in my refrigerator,” Rodriquez said. When her kids ask for something to eat, Rodriquez now cringes because she doesn’t have much to offer to them anymore. The kids were able to take breakfast and lunch to school with them, always have something for dinner or if they got hungry in the middle of the night.”īut now, nearly three years later, millions of households are struggling to afford food as they face decreases in monthly assistance after the expiration of the added benefits earlier this year. It took a lot of the burden off my back,” Rodriquez said. “When we got the extra food stamps, it was a blessing.
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With nearly $400 in extra assistance, Rodriquez didn’t have to worry about how to feed her family or give up a meal to make sure her kids – adult child and two growing teens – had enough to eat. Congress enacted emergency legislation at the start of the pandemic that allowed participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, otherwise known as SNAP, to receive the maximum monthly benefit regardless of income in an effort to address rising food insecurity and stimulate the economy.
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