If our members of Congress cut SNAP, they will increase child hunger. SNAP is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, America’s largest anti-hunger program.

Despite the real pain this will inflict on children, seniors, and families, Congress is marching towards $230 billion in cuts – the largest reduction in history – that will force more people in Arizona to go hungry.  In 2024, 923,400 Arizonans turned to this program to help them buy groceries and feed themselves and their families.

Right now and over the next several days, Congress is drafting legislation behind closed doors that will determine the future of this anti-hunger program.

Making Life Harder for Parents of School-Aged Children

One proposal is to increase the already stringent eligibility requirements around the program, which are costly to administer and make it harder for families to keep up with complicated reporting requirements. For example, Arizona already has work requirements in place, but Congress is looking at new work requirements, including for families with school-aged children. In Arizona, about 32 percent of families with children are at risk of losing food assistance. This is a policy that will hurt struggling families and leave more children hungry. We urge Congress to exempt families with school-aged children from any work requirement proposal they may pursue.

Shifting Financial Responsibility to States With Empty Coffers

Another proposal they are considering is to drastically reduce federal investment, with an assumption that state budgets will fill the gap. We know in Arizona that our fiscal picture is unlikely to have ample state funds to make up the difference. This means more people will go hungry.

We urge our members of Congress to prevent massive cuts to SNAP because in this time of economic uncertainty and rising costs, their decision will result in a significant increase in hunger for Arizonans, including far too many children. 

Please join us in making your voice heard today with your member of Congress.