SNAP benefits in jeopardy under Trump proposal

Nearly 16,500 Hawaiʻi residents could lose their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and more under a new rule change proposed by the Trump Administration, according to the Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice.

The proposed rule would change the way Hawaiʻi and other states determine eligibility for SNAP benefits. Currently, residents of states with a high cost of living—like Hawaiʻi—can qualify for benefits even if their income is higher than the federal eligibility cut-off. The administration’s proposal is seeking to eliminate considerations that factor in the cost of living, resulting in a discontinuous of SNAP benefits for many. The change would also result in an estimated loss of almost $3.9 million per year at grocery stores and food retailers statewide.

Before approval, the proposal must first undergo a period for public comment. The federal government is currently accepting comments on the proposal through Sept. 23, 2019.