The agreement to raise the nation's debt ceiling places new work requirements for many of the beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program.
The Republican-controlled House of Representatives gave approval to the agreement on Wednesday; the measure is expected to be taken up by the Democratic-led U.S. Senate in the coming days and sent to President Joe Biden in order to avoid a default.
For Republicans, the change is part of a broader effort to slow spending on the national level in the coming years while also encouraging more people to return to work. But anti-hunger advocates are worried about the effect the change will have on New Yorkers who have received food assistance aid.
The change will expand work requirements for able-bodied adults between the ages of 50 and 54 after 2025.
Still, the agreement has exemptions for SNAP, including people who are veterans those who are experiencing homelessness, which will lead to a rise in spending in the program over the next decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
The CBO estimated this week about 78,000 people across the country would gain benefits.
But No Kid Hungry New York on Thursday raised concerns with the new requirements, pointing to one analysis that found 45,000 New Yorkers between the ages of 50 to 54 could lose federal food assistance as a result of the provision.
“We all recognize the catastrophic impact of a default, but we are disappointed that this deal includes policy changes that harm people experiencing hunger and poverty," said Rachel Sabella, the group's director. "We shouldn’t be playing politics with programs that help Americans meet their basic needs. Nearly 3 million New Yorkers rely on SNAP to pay for groceries and put food on the table. These are our neighbors, not political pawns. And restricting their benefits has always been more about serving up political talking points rather than saving money."
A pandemic-era boost in assistance increased the monthly food assistance allotment for families in New York statewide. But Republicans, including Rep. Claudia Tenney, pointed to the agreement as one that will "boost employment and enhance accountability.”
"By implementing these spending cuts and achieving these important fiscal reforms, we are holding the White House and Senate Democrats accountable," Tenney said. "There is much more work to be done, and this legislation marks the start of the process, not the end of it. House Republicans will continue to lead the way to limit out-of-control spending, save taxpayer dollars, reduce taxes and grow our economy."