Last week, CLASI and our partners at the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Wilmington Community Advisory Council each submitted comments strongly opposing a proposed rule change by the Delaware Division of Social Services that would require families receiving SNAP food assistance to reapply twice as often as they do now.

It is well known that making families reapply for SNAP more often results in families suffering from food insecurity.  Families who are eligible for food benefits are more likely to get cut off improperly for weeks or even months.

These harsh and unnecessary cutoffs harm the health and wellbeing of vulnerable Delawareans receiving SNAP, including people with disabilities, domestic violence survivors, seniors, and children—in our state 66% of SNAP households include children and nearly 38% include older adults or people with disabilities.

“At a time when families are already struggling due to rising inflation and soaring food prices, Delaware should be making it easier for them to access SNAP benefits, not creating more barriers,” says CLASI staff attorney Gilberte Pierre. “This is also a racial justice issue, as we know that families of color bear the brunt of hunger in our country and policies that restrict SNAP access will disproportionately impact them.”

Click here to read the comments submitted by CLASI:
CLASI Comments on Proposed Change to SNAP Recertification Periods

Click here to read the comments submitted by the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence:
DCADV Comments on Proposed Change to SNAP Recertification Periods