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Government shutdown looms after Trump-backed bill fails; Environmental groups sue CA Air Resources Board over biogas credits; NY elected officials work to electrify municipal buildings; Need a mental health boost? Talking hot dog is here.

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President-elect Trump repeats his threats to jail Jan. 6th committee members, while also putting a stop-gap spending plan in jeopardy. A court removes Fani Willis from Trump's Georgia election interference case. The FAA restricts drones in New Jersey, and a Federal Reserve rate cut shakes markets.

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Rural folks could soon be shut out of loans for natural disasters if Project 2025 has its way, Taos, New Mexico weighs options for its housing shortage, and the top states providing America's Christmas trees revealed.

TN families hit 'income cliff' when trying to get SNAP benefits

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Thursday, November 30, 2023   

With the next Farm Bill stalled in Congress and rising food insecurity in Tennessee, advocacy groups say there's a pressing need to address a hurdle faced by lower-income working families.

About 750,000 Tennesseans receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. More would be eligible, if the state would implement a policy known as Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility.

Signe Anderson, senior director of nutrition advocacy at the Tennessee Justice Center, said it would allow the state to automatically qualify households for food assistance if they already receive other types of help - like childcare or housing assistance.

"The way that Broad Based Categorical Eligibility works is, you know, a mom could take the raise and not lose all of her benefits," said Anderson. "Instead, the benefits get tapered down instead of maybe getting a $50 a month raise, which throws you above the poverty line."

Tennessee is one of only eight states that doesn't use this method to help qualify lower-income households for food assistance.

According to the latest census data, more than 13% of Tennesseeans live in poverty. Anderson said other states that have implemented the broad-based policy have not experienced significant changes, either in SNAP caseload or costs to the state.

"For Tennesseans, it would help families that fall between 131% and 150% of the poverty line," she added. "In Tennessee, I think, based on some data from 2019, that could help anywhere from 7,000 to over 10,000 families."

Anderson said it's important to collaborate with Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Human Services Commissioner Clarence Carter to address food insecurity and expand outreach.

A webinar today at 11 a.m. explores SNAP's impact and related issues in Tennessee. It is co-sponsored by the Tennessee Justice Center, Second Harvest Food Bank and the Martha O'Bryan Center.



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