INCOME & WORK SUPPORTS UPDATE
JULY 2019

Latest Rule Would Decrease SNAP Access and Increase Administrative Costs

Food assistance helps ensure everyone in the U.S. has access to the sustenance needed to live, work, and thrive. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is our nation’s most important anti-hunger program and is proven to reduce poverty and food insecurity. Although the Trump Administration failed to cut SNAP through the 2018 Farm Bill, officials are now attempting to circumvent Congress and cut SNAP through regulatory changes.

Leveraging Public Benefits to Improve States' Postsecondary Access and Completion

When states maximize access to public benefits, students with low incomes and students of color experience increased financial stability, decreased debt levels, and, ultimately, improved chances of earning more and contributing more to the economy. This report overviews current public benefit policies and encourages states to look beyond traditional financial aid sources and free college programs to better support students with low incomes.

Health Care for All Principles

America has made significant progress expanding health insurance since the Affordable Care Act (ACA). But many gaps in coverage remain, particularly for people with low incomes and people of color. It's critical to center the national discussion about improving health care access on people who have been marginalized. In so doing, CLASP has developed key principles for universal health care coverage, focusing on people with low incomes and people of color.

In the News

JULY 12, 2019 | KTVZ NEWS

Wyden, Merkley bill would block ICE raids at schools, churches

JULY 18, 2019 | MEDIUM

Stamping Out Campus Hunger With SNAP

JULY 24, 2019 | MARKET WATCH

Trump Administration Wants to Prevent Food-stamp Fraud by Disqualifying 3 Million Families — Critics Call It ‘Mean-spirited’

JULY 25, 2019 | CITYLAB

What the Fear Campaign Against Immigrants Is Doing

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Key Blog Posts and Publications

JULY 3, 2019 | RENATO ROHCA

CLASP Comment on HUD’s Proposed Changes Regarding “Verification of Eligible Status”

CLASP submitted comments strongly opposing the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s proposed changes regarding “verification of eligible status.”

JULY 22, 2019 | REBECCA ULLRICH

Preparing for Immigration Raids: What Child and Youth Advocates and Service Providers Can Do

With President Trump's immigration raids devastating immigrant communities, child and youth advocates as well as service providers have many ways to fight back.

JULY 23, 2019 | ELIZABETH ONDUSI

MORE Act Would Help Communities Victimized by War on Drugs

Federal legislation to legitimize a booming marijuana industry have often failed to address discriminatory drug law enforcement or provide redress to communities destroyed by such enforcement. The Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act acknowledges those who’ve been targeted by marijuana criminalization and ensures low-income communities and communities of color can participate in the industry.

Recent Events

Last week, CLASP's Parker Gilkesson presented at the National Conference on Ending Homelessness's workshop entitled, "Helping Parents Connect to Employment and Income Support." During her presentation, Gilkesson discussed how TANF and SNAP can be utilized to help families experiencing homelessness.

Two weeks ago, CLASP's Carrie Welton (second from left), Lauren Walizer (far right), and the Colorado Department of Higher Education co-led a convening of college and university representatives to figure out what’s working—and what’s not—in Colorado's fight to curb food insecurity and hunger on college campuses across the state.