August 3, 2020
Millions of college students facing food insecurity rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to obtain food and proper nutrition. Currently, the program requires eligible students to maintain a 20-hour-per-week work requirement, which has become increasingly problematic due to COVID-19 related layoffs and reduction of hours at both on and off-campus jobs. The issue disproportionately impacts community college students as they are more likely to need assistance.
To address the great need of students experiencing food insecurity, ACCJC joined over 200 organizations in signing on a to a letter to Congress asking that the 20-hour-per-week work requirement be suspended in the next COVID-19 relief package.
In the letter, supporters wrote:
“SNAP is a demonstrably effective program and an existing resource that must be strategically leveraged in this critical moment to ensure that students can continue and succeed in their pursuit of a college education during this difficult time. Studies have shown that, without access to food and proper nutrition, people can suffer from exacerbated stress, anxiety, and depression; sleep disturbances and fatigue; and impaired cognitive functioning. Access to SNAP relieves the stress of students worrying about where to find their next meal and allows them to focus on improving their educational and employment outcomes.”
