AUGUSTA - Rep. Holly Stover, D-Boothbay, presented legislation Monday at a public hearing before the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee that would temporarily provide more funding for Maine's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
During the pandemic, SNAP recipients received a temporary increase in household benefits due to an increase in federal funding. However, that increase ended on March 1. LD 1584 would partially extend the emergency benefits for another six months, gradually decreasing the additional benefits over that period.
"As Mainers and lawmakers, we can and must do better for our most vulnerable children and adults," said Stover. "In Lincoln County, around 20% of children are food insecure, which is 36.3% higher than the national average. This bill is essential to addressing food insecurity not only in my community, but around our state."
"The recent reduction in benefits has too many Maine families again facing the dangers of food insecurity. Ultimately, SNAP allows the dignity of shopping at a store, generates revenue at food retailers across the state and relieves the burden on the emergency food network," said Speaker of the House Rachel Talbot Ross. "Rep. Stover's legislation will restore these essential benefits and alleviate the latest stress on Maine families and Maine food banks."
According to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, about 100,000 Mainers receive SNAP benefits, and these families have seen their monthly benefits cut by at least $95 per month. Some families have experienced a decrease of more than $250 per month.
The Health and Human Services Committee will hold a work session on the bill in the coming weeks.
Rep. Holly Stover is serving her third term in the Maine House and represents Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb, South Bristol, Southport and Westport Island. She is House chair of the Legislature's State and Local Government Committee and serves as a member of the Joint Select Committee on Housing.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Stover], c. 305-965-2744
Mary-Erin Casale [Talbot Ross], c. 415-4965