SNAP

SNAP recipients will not be allowed to use benefits to purchase candy, drinks containing artificial sweeteners, or drinks containing five grams or more of added sugar.

Potentially life-saving public sector assistance for food, healthcare, and supporting a family is now more difficult for people in need to navigate. Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill creates new obstacles and requirements for people to qualify for SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid. These include longer applications, increased eligibility/work requirements, in-person interviews, and shorter periods before they have to recertify to continue receiving benefits.

Food banks have already directly felt the impact of federal funding cuts, including the termination of pandemic-era programs that provided $1 billion annually to combat food insecurity. Anti-hunger advocates are particularly concerned about the cuts to SNAP, arguing that for every meal the San Antonio Food Bank distributes, SNAP provides nine. As a result, families will be forced to ration food or lose benefits entirely.

Usually, SNAP recipients cannot use the Lone Star Card to purchase hot food or ready to eat meals. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission received permission from the USDA to temporarily expand SNAP benefits to include hot meals.

On Thursday, the U.S. House narrowly passed a sweeping bill that slashes about $3.8 trillion in taxes by scaling back social safety net programs including Medicaid and SNAP.

Congressional Republicans are on the precipice of approving $290 billion in cuts to the largest low-income anti-hunger program in the nation. People who rely on the program, already pressured by food price surges, are worried they will be going without.

Nutritionists agree reducing the amount of sugar people consume would be good for the Nation's health. But the plan to block people from using food assistance to buy soda is getting mixed reviews.

Congress ended the temporary benefit meant to help low-income households with pandemic-era hardships. A huge increase in Social Security benefits may mean some households see further SNAP reductions.

Obstacles keep many Texans who qualify for the assistance from enrolling.

For food banks across Texas, August will be a busy month. Millions are unemployed and food need has skyrocketed due to the COVID-19 crisis. An estimated…