SNAP proposal would increase food insecurity, critics say

Anti-hunger advocates are blasting a proposed change to SNAP rules that could cut off more than 6 million people from access to federal food aid. Anti-hunger advocates are denouncing a Trump administration proposal that would tighten eligibility requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The proposed rule, introduced on Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to seek public comment, would change a policy that extends eligibility for SNAP to people who receive benefits through a social safety net program known as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF. If adopted, the SNAP rule would reduce public enrollment in the program by roughly 17%, the Agriculture Department projects. White House spokeswoman Allison Schuster said the Trump administration wants to ensure that SNAP serves only "eligible Americans who need it most." "Rather than throwing money at a broken system, the Trump Administration will continue to stop fraudsters stealing from these important programs, as well as take effective, cost-saving steps to make life more affordable for all Americans," she told CBS News in an email.

Cutting off so many Americans from food stamps would greatly increase food insecurity at a time when many people are already struggling financially, critics said. "Instead of listening to the public sentiment on affordability following the election, the administration is continuing its attacks on vital food