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The Farm Bill

The Farm Bill was originally enacted in the 1930s. The most recent version was signed in 2018, and it expired in 2023. The federal government passed a one-year extension of the Farm Bill, which expires in September 2024. If the government does not pass a new Farm Bill, they will need to pass another extension.

SNAP Priorities for the Farm Bill

A critical component of the Farm Bill is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

There are, however, several aspects to SNAP policy that are particularly burdensome to Arkansans. We are hopeful that, as the federal government considers changes to the SNAP program, they will work to:

  • Eliminate or greatly increase the SNAP asset limit. States have flexibility to remove or eliminate the asset limit, and most have. Arkansas has not. We’re one of only nine states that have kept SNAP’s overly restrictive asset limit, making it harder for Arkansans with low-paying jobs to save for emergencies while also keeping SNAP benefits. The federal asset limit hasn’t kept up with inflation since it was established in the late 1970s. If it had, it would be more than $8,000 in 2022, as opposed to $2,750 for most families. Ensuring that families can establish and build savings means that they are more stable financially and less likely to need to receive benefits in the future. This just makes sense and should be a priority to help hard working Arkansans be more financially secure.
  • Protect changes made to the Thrifty Food Plan. The USDA recently revised the Plan based on a Congressional directive from the bipartisan 2018 Farm Bill to better reflect current dietary guidance and how families with incomes below the poverty line shop for and prepare meals. The revised Thrifty Food Plan resulted in a modest but meaningful increase to SNAP benefits that will reduce poverty, decrease food insecurity, improve health outcomes for children, and improve access to healthy foods – all at a time when food prices have far outpaced overall inflation. Without the Thrifty Food Plan update, average SNAP benefits would have been about $4.25 per person per day. Under the revision, the average SNAP benefit is now $5.45, a modest but significant $1.20 per-day increase.
  • Provide more equitable access to SNAP. Currently many groups are excluded from SNAP benefits without good reason. Lawful permanent residents must have lived in the United States for five years before they are eligible for SNAP benefits, for example. This waiting period is inequitable, and for that reason many migrant families face higher rates of hunger than others. Formerly incarcerated people have high rates of hunger and face many challenges accessing SNAP after they are released. They should be helped to apply for benefits prior to release so they can access benefits as soon as they are released. Puerto Rico and other U.S. Territories do not have access to the full SNAP program. Instead, they have a more limited program that is not only inequitable, it is also insufficient for people who need assistance with food.

2023 Farm Bill Webinar

Resources