SNAP

The number of Americans facing food insecurity has increased. People are turning to food pantries, soup kitchens and each other.

In more than a dozen states, less than 80% of SNAP applications are being processed on time. Before the pandemic, the numbers were much better.

The upper age limit for SNAP recipients (able bodied, without dependents) who have to prove they’re working or looking for work at least part time has just risen from age 49 to age 50. Eventually it'll go up to age 54.

Millions of people have had their benefits cut by at least $95 a month, at a time when food prices are up almost 10%.

Here's why it took a pandemic to make it happen, and why the practice is probably here to stay.

Congress will be debating food aid programs covered by the bill, just as pandemic-era funding increases for food aid expire while grocery costs remain high.

Advocates for everything from nutrition programs to tribal food sovereignty to climate and sustainability initiatives will be keeping an eye on the bill next year.

“I have to get less food,” one shopper said. “So I plan very carefully with my food stamps.”

The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or D-SNAP, helps people access food aid or replace groceries damaged by disasters like Hurricane Ian.

There are a lot of benefits to making school lunch and other social benefits more universal. But, yes, it's expensive to do.