Hunger, The Economy, and SNAP: - PowerPoint Presentation

Hunger, The Economy, and SNAP:DC Decisions Impacting Tennessee Ana Hicks State Strategies Manager Center for Budget and Policy Priorities Keith Barnes Director of Nutrition Advocacy Tennessee Justice Center

ObjectivesThe need for SNAP in Tennessee How SNAP strengthens Tennessee and the Country SNAP today, SNAP tomorrow?: A Washington update What you can do

One Million Tennesseans Unsure Where Their Next Meal Will Come from

1 in 4 TN Children Are Food Insecure

Economy Has a Long Way to Go

TN Workers Getting Left Behind Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, TN Department of Labor and Workforce Development

Social Security Isn’t Keeping up Either Sources: Social Security Administration, USDOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, USDA Economic Research Service, Milliman

SNAP Puts Food on the Table;Reduces Food Insecurity SNAP is one of the most powerful and effective poverty-reduction programs in the country. Households are less likely to be food insecure after participating in SNAP for 6 months. SNAP helps millions afford groceries. 9

SNAP Reaches Many Who Need Help Affording Food 10 Too many Americans are struggling financially and are at risk of going hungry. Millions turn to SNAP when they hit hard times or are struggling to get by on low wages. Nearly two-thirds of those who use SNAP are children, the elderly, or people with disabilities

SNAP is Our Largest Child Nutrition Program One in four children, and almost one-third of pre-school children, meet their basic food needs with help from SNAP. Two-thirds of SNAP benefits, go to households with children. There is growing awareness that the consequences of adversity during the early years of life can extend well beyond childhood. 11

SNAP’s Positive Benefits Can Last a Lifetime Research shows that adults who received food stamps as young children are more likely to graduate from high school and less-likely to suffer long-term health problems like obesity and heart disease. 12

SNAP Supports Low-Wage Workers Workers turn to SNAP to supplement low and fluctuating pay and to help them get by during spells of unemployment. Nationally, about 10 percent of civilian workers are in households that participated in SNAP in the last year 13

SNAP Supports Low-Wage Workers (cont.) 14 Most workers who participate in SNAP are in service occupations (e.g., home health aides or cooks), administrative support occupations (e.g., customer service representatives), and sales occupations (e.g., cashiers). This is true in Tennessee where people are working but struggling to get by on low wages, inconsistent work schedules and little or no benefits. 37 percent of maids and housecleaners participate in SNAP. 37 percent of roofers participate in SNAP. 28 percent of cashiers participate in SNAP. 26 percent of personal care aides participate in SNAP. 26 percent of construction laborers participate in SNAP.

SNAP boosts local economies SNAP is an important public/private partnership More than more than 260,000 retailers participating in SNAP nationwide. In 2016, SNAP households redeemed almost $1.7 billion in benefits at almost 7,000 retailers in Tennessee. 15

Caseload Trends Show that SNAP Works! Funding structure allows SNAP to respond to economic conditions One of few programs available as many are capped Keeps poverty from rising more and helps families puts food on the table during recessions Helps economy -- “automatic stabilizer.” 16

Who Gets SNAP in TN?Very poor people Nearly half are children A third are older adults and adults with disabilities 54,000 veterans 170,000 working households A lot few people than a few years ago 23% decrease in participation since Great Recession

SNAP and TN’s Economy$1.7 billion/year direct stimulus SNAP > agriculture + forestry + fishing + hunting SNAP is 1 out of every 7 grocery dollars Supports 15,500 jobs statewide Including 4,000 jobs in economically distressed communities 260,000 participants lifted out of poverty

$150M/Year Support to TN Farmers

Helps TN Charities Focus on MissionFederal programs (SNAP, school meals, etc.) provide 95% of all domestic food aid SNAP is equal to 557 million meals statewide Without SNAP, Tennessee’s meal gap would be four times bigger

SNAP and Tennessee’s Children

Timeline for SNAP 22 President’s Budget released in May. Congress usually releases budget soon after the President Congress is taking a little longer Appropriations process is moving forward House Budget Committee is likely to propose significant cuts and changes to entitlement programs, like SNAP, Medicaid and SSI, that are outside of the Appropriations process. Senate likely will not move anything in the budget committee until September Agriculture Committee oversees SNAP within the Farm Bill. Farm Bill reauthorization process will be passed in 2018.

Recent House Budgets Would Require Deep Cuts including Block Granting the Program Last year’s Republican budget resolution called for SNAP cuts that: Would cut 10 million people each year if they came from eliminating eligibility; or Would require lowering the programs gross income limit from 130 percent poverty to less than 70 percent poverty ; or Would require lowering maximum benefits to 77 percent of the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) , more than $40 per person per month. We don’t know if this is what they will do. Just using as an example. 23

A Block Grant Would End SNAP’s Guarantee Block granting SNAP would do nothing to reduce poverty or support struggling families. 24 Would no longer respond to need during recessions Waiting lists likely. States could shift funds to plug state budgets States could be forced to cut benefit levels deeply States could be forced to eliminate categories of households No guarantee when people hit hard times

Not Possible to Cut in Ways that Don’t Hurt People

We Need Your Help to Keep SNAP Strong for Tennessee and America

Your Voice Matters Contacting legislators directly is incredibly important right now Educate, educate, educate Want to do more, LET’S TALK! Represent an organization that wants to get involved, LET’S TALK! Keith Barnes kbarnes@tnjustice.org

Contacting Your Legislators Representatives Call (202) 225-3121 OR Go to [last name].house.gov Key Members Black: Budget Chair Fleischmann: Appropriations DesJarlais : Agriculture - Nutrition Senators Alexander Phone: (202) 224-4944 Email: https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email Corker Phone: (202) 224-3344 Email: https://www.corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/emailme

Keep in Mind Be kind and respectful Be honest and sincere Keep it short You’re not talking to the president Share your story How has SNAP personally helped you or those you know? What does SNAP mean for the people you serve? These are often underpaid and very underappreciated people who truly care. Put politics aside and give some thanks.

Sample Script My name is ___________________, and I am a constituent from ___________________. SNAP is the cornerstone of our nation’s commitment that no American should go hungry. It is one of our most effective and efficient tools to strengthen the economy and improve public health. It also increases access to opportunity; children who participate in SNAP have better health, education and employment outcomes. SNAP helps over a million Tennesseans – mostly children, seniors, and the working poor – put food on the table. It generates business and jobs in communities struggling economically and directly benefits Tennessee farmers. Please tell Rep./Sen. ________________ to oppose any budget resolution or other legislation that requires cuts or would change the financing structure of SNAP. Will you share this message?

Stay Tuned Expect a short guide on contacting your legislator right after the webinar Join our nutrition mailing list Keep an eye out for our webinar series to help you build your education and advocacy skills

Thank YouQuestions? www.facebook.com/tnjustice www.twitter.com/tnjusticecenter info@tnjustice.org Want to Nourish Tennessee? Keith Barnes Director of Nutrition Advocacy kbarnes@tnjustice.org 615-846-4716 Want CLE/CEU Credit? Thomas Bynum Training Coordinator/Client Advocate tbynum@tnjustice.org