The Only No-Cost Solution to SNAP Application Backlogs Would Help Hurricane-Ravaged Disaster Zones
Almost every state and territory (47 states, specifically) is experiencing delays in processing SNAP applications or processing errors and not meeting minimum federal requirements. Read more on the problem plaguing the U.S. here.
This crisis has been compounded by recent Hurricanes Helene and Milton, resulting in four states with approved Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits. D-SNAP requires state agencies to process applications within three days.
Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee are the four states currently providing D-SNAP in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton:
Florida’s most recent processing rate is roughly 55% (the federal requirement is 95%).
Georgia’s most recent processing rate is about 66%.
North Carolina’s is about 85%.
And Tennessee is one of the bottom five performing states with its most recent processing rate down to about 42%.
How can we expect states impacted by these hurricanes to process D-SNAP benefits for disaster survivors within three days if most states fail to process regular food stamp applications within 30 days?
Each of the states listed above received a letter from the USDA in February 2024 regarding their poor processing rates, demanding that the state programs that administer SNAP in those states step up their processing times.
There is a no-cost solution. That solution is the SNAP Staffing Flexibility Act of 2023 (H.R. 5094), sponsored by Rep. Don Bacon and five other members. The bill was included in the House reported Farm Bill and should also be included as a provision of the Senate 2024 Farm Bill or as part of an emergency supplemental appropriations bill. Two bipartisan groups, the American Public Human Services Directors (which includes SNAP Directors) and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) have endorsed this specific type of flexibility. Additionally, the National Governors Association has broadly called for more flexibility in SNAP.
Allowing state SNAP programs to use private contractors to speed up the processing of SNAP applications would also help states more quickly process D-SNAP applications. States need this necessary support now; hungry survivors of hurricanes cannot wait.