Applying Racial Equity to U.S. Federal Nutrition Assistance Programs - Flipbook - Page 62
Appendix 8: State Practices that Create and Widen Inequity
State Practices
Asset Limits
Connecting SNAP with
child support
Banning Returning
Citizens from
Receiving SNAP
Mandating Stricter
Work Requirements
62
How is this practice inequitable?
Assets can make the difference as to whether or not a family has a buffer against
falling deeper into hunger or poverty in the case of a financial emergency, such as
an illness or job loss.291 While the goal of establishing asset limits for participation in
nutrition programs was to target families most in need, the unintended consequence
has been to discourage families from building assets in the hope of remaining
eligible for much-needed support.292 States have the option of using the Broad Based
Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) policy to raise the limit on permitted assets and of
eliminating asset limits altogether.293 States that have used these options have higher
rates of low-income households with bank accounts or other banking relationships,
and higher savings rates among low-income households—both of which are needed
for financial empowerment.294 Conversely, states that still maintain asset limits,
especially low asset limits, are associated with lower rates of households participating
in banking and saving activities.
Making SNAP benefits contingent on child support and/or requiring cooperation from
child support is inequitable for two reasons: (1) it can deter women who are fleeing
domestic violence from applying for SNAP benefits due to fear associated with
continuing relations with their abusers, and (2) it worsens food insecurity among noncustodial parents who are already dealing with high levels of food insecurity. Parents
who are food insecure are more likely to be unable to provide for their children.
Black and brown communities are disproportionately profiled, arrested, incarcerated,
and sentenced.295 Therefore, they are disproportionately impacted by any partial or
permanent ban on people with criminal records receiving SNAP. Some states have
a lifetime ban on SNAP participation for anyone with certain felony drug convictions,
while others place restrictions on returning citizens if they are reported to be
noncompliant with parole conditions. Still others impose a period of ineligibility after
release or require that all parole and probation requirements be completed before a
person is eligible.296
The majority of bans on receiving SNAP affect people convicted of drug offenses.
Due to the so-called War on Drugs in the 1980s, which disproportionately targeted
low-income communities of color, those impacted are disproportionately people
of color. Despite the fact that studies show that returning citizens are more likely to
experience hunger post-incarceration—according to the National Institutes of Health
study, the rate is 91 percent297 –returning citizens receive the least amount of support.
Currently, SNAP has work requirements for all people ages 18 to 45, unless they are
ill or disabled, caring for a child under 6, or caring for a disabled family member.298
People who are subject to work requirements must participate in qualifying work
activities for 80 hours a month. If they do not, then they may only receive SNAP for
three months in any three-year time period.299 In areas where there are not enough
jobs available, states have the option to waive the work requirement, mandate
participation in training, or temporarily suspend the three month time limit.300 Some
states, however, have pushed for additional and/or stricter work requirements, which
has in effect created an additional barrier for recipients looking for stable work
rather than helping them conduct effective job searches.301 It also ignores the reality
of low-wage work, which has erratic hours and a lot of turnover.302 Work requirement
policies tend to harm people most in need of assistance and people facing job
discrimination—both groups disproportionately people of color.303
APPLYING RACIAL EQUITY TO U.S. FEDERAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS: SNAP, WIC AND CHILD NUTRITION
