Advancing Disability Equity and Access in TANF and SNAP for People with Long COVID

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) should be available to help people with Long COVID and other disabilities avoid hunger and hardship. And yet, disabled people consistently face barriers in accessing these programs – with disabled people of color, individuals with low incomes, and those with marginalized identities facing the most harm. 

This report recommends concrete actions policymakers and program administrators can take to improve accessibility of public programs for people with Long COVID and other disabilities.

A New Deal for Youth (ND4Y) had a phenomenal Week of Action! ND4Y Changemakers, partners, and CLASP staff took part in visits with 31 Hill offices, had three White House officials and a leader in the U.S. Department of Labor at our Admin event, rocked out to the Future Band and DJ Olo, had an amazing open mic, participated in a story-telling workshop, and left our mark on D.C. with a beautiful collaborative mural (shown above). You can still take virtual actions to support ND4Y and stay tuned for a highlights video coming soon.

This week, Elizabeth Lower-Basch, deputy executive director for policy at CLASP, testified before the Mississippi State Legislature at a public hearing to discuss how policymakers can better serve TANF recipients and make sure families in Mississippi can get the help they need.