Heflin Quoted in Newsweek Article on the Farm Bill Reauthorization and Its Impact on SNAP Benefits

October 2, 2024

Newsweek

Colleen Heflin

Public Administration & International Affairs Department

Center for Policy Research

Agriculture

Food Security

Nutrition

U.S. Health Policy

United States

Newsweek

Colleen Heflin

The Farm, Food, and National Security Act, commonly known as the Farm Bill, is a crucial piece of federal legislation that typically gets reauthorized every five years. The last bill, passed in 2018, was scheduled for renewal in 2023, but lawmakers extended the legislation until Sept. 30, 2024. However, this deadline wasn't met.

Experts have now warned that having no renewed legislation in time for the new year could impact the funding of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food benefits for low- and no-income families.

“If the appropriations bills are not passed by the end of December, January benefits will still go out because SNAP benefits are obligated in the prior month (December), says Colleen Heflin, professor of public administration and international affairs. She explains that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which funds SNAP, has “a multi-year carry over fund and contingency funds that could be used to continue payouts,” but for how long is not known.

Read more in the Newsweek article, “SNAP Warning Issued for Millions Across US: 'Deeply Concerning'.”