Requesting The University Of Hawaii Economic Research Organization To Conduct A Study Of Ways To Increase Access To Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits.
The resolution aims to explore various public policy options to alleviate the benefits cliff created by SNAP's current eligibility requirements. This would potentially allow for expanded eligibility up to three hundred percent of the federal poverty level. By addressing these constraints, the study could lead to a significant increase in the number of residents able to access SNAP benefits, thereby enhancing food security and overall quality of life for lower-income families. Importantly, the research will also estimate the number of current SNAP-eligible residents who are not enrolled, as outreach and enrollment efforts are essential components to increasing access.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 21 (SCR21) seeks to address the issue of food insecurity in Hawaii by requesting the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization to conduct a study on increasing access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The resolution highlights that many low-income households in Hawaii struggle to afford food due to the high cost of living, with over one in six residents experiencing food insecurity. Moreover, it addresses the limitations of SNAP which disqualifies households with incomes above two hundred percent of the federal poverty level from receiving assistance. The bill underscores that a family of four earning around $69,000 is ineligible for SNAP despite needing an income over $100,000 to cover necessary living expenses such as food and housing.
Supporters of SCR21 argue that expanding SNAP benefits is a critical step in combating food insecurity and supporting economically disadvantaged citizens, while critics may argue against potential financial implications for state funding or misallocation of resources. The study requested by the resolution is also expected to entail a cost-benefit analysis, which will be instrumental in evaluating the viability of such expansions. The outcome of this study could lead to recommendations for legislative changes aimed at improving access to nutrition assistance, ultimately aiming to create a more equitable food system in Hawaii.