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Charlotte NC

CONGRESSWOMAN ADAMS INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO FIGHT HUNGER IN THE 12TH DISTRICT

May 12, 2016

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Alma S. Adams (NC-12) today announced the introduction of the Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2016.

“Hunger is a serious issue in the 12th District and around our entire nation, and too often SNAP benefits are just not enough for those who struggle to put food on the table,” said Congresswoman Adams. “This Closing the Meal Gap Act will strengthen the SNAP program for families, adults looking for work, seniors and the disabled.”

Specifically The Closing the Meal Gap Act would:

  • Permanently authorize a standard medical deduction in every state for seniors and disabled individuals applying for SNAP benefits.
  • Incorporate the Low-Cost Food Plan into the SNAP formula to take into account how much working people, including SNAP recipients, spend on food.
  • Eliminate the cap on the Excess Shelter Deduction in the SNAP formula to take into account the cost of living for SNAP recipients in areas with high rent and utilities.
  • Raise the minimum SNAP benefit from $16 to $25 per month.
  • Allow Able-Bodied Adults to be exempt from SNAP work requirements if their state cannot provide them with a slot in a SNAP Employment and Training Program (also known as SNAP E&T).

The Closing the Meal Gap Act has been endorsed by Feeding America, the Food Research and Action Center, Mazon, and the National Council on Aging.

Last May, Congresswoman Adams launched the Adams Hunger Initiative to raise awareness of the high level of food insecurity in the 12th District. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that over 158,000 people in Mecklenburg County participate in the SNAP program. According to Feeding America, over 203,000 people in the 12th District struggle with food insecurity, and the 12th district ranks 9th in the nation for food insecurity.

The Closing the Meal Gap Act is cosponsored by Representatives Jim McGovern (MA-02), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Marsha Fudge (OH-11), John Conyers (MI-13), Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Patrick Murphy (FL-18) and Stacey Plaskett (VI-At Large).