WASHINGTON, DC- Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) released the following statement in advance of the automatic cut to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP, effective tomorrow, November 1^st :

“I have heard from families who struggle to put food on the table at the end of each month because of insufficient SNAP benefits,” said Congresswoman Fudge.  “I dread the reality they will face next month when their food runs out even sooner because of this automatic cut. As we discuss the Farm Bill, I will speak for these families and hope to negotiate a better outcome for them.”

Feeding America reports that 90 percent of SNAP benefits are exhausted by the third week of each month, and for six months out of the year 58 percent of Americans currently receiving SNAP turn to their food banks for help. These percentages are sure to increase next month.  In Ohio, even more may need nutrition assistance as the unemployment rate increased from 7.2 to 7.3 percent in August.

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), the November 1^st cut would result in a reduction in benefits from $36 per month for a family of four to $11 for a one person household.  These cuts will mean $5 billion less in SNAP benefits to help feed American families in Fiscal Year (FY) 2014.

SNAP is our nation’s most important anti-hunger, anti-poverty program. In 2011, the program kept 4.7 million people out of poverty, including 2.1 million children.  SNAP is also a powerful stepping stone to fiscal recovery as one of the fastest, most effective ways to stimulate our struggling economy.  Moody’s Analytics estimates that in a weak economy, every $1 increase in SNAP benefits generates about $1.70 in economic activity.

Congresswoman Fudge is a cosponsor of H.R.3108, the “Extend Not Cut SNAP Benefits Act,” a one-year extension through FY 2014 of the 2009 Recovery Act boost to SNAP benefits.

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