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County food office warns HR1 and shutdown will shrink SNAP supports; SNAP‑Ed elimination, new work rules and state cost shifts cited
Summary
The county Office of Food Systems Resilience briefed the council that federal changes and a government shutdown are reducing SNAP benefit value and eligibility, ending SNAP‑Ed funding and shifting administrative costs to the state—creating immediate stresses for residents and local food providers.
Montgomery County’s Office of Food Systems Resilience told the County Council on Oct. 14 that recent federal actions—summarized as HR 1—and a partial federal shutdown are already reducing food assistance for residents and increasing operational strains on the local network that delivers food and nutrition services.
Director Heather Bruskin outlined three main impact areas: smaller benefit amounts for many households, tighter eligibility and work requirements for SNAP, and higher administrative costs for states and local partners. She said the county is monitoring multiple metrics and working with community partners to mitigate impacts.
Key changes and local effects described by staff: - Benefit value and deductions: USDA changes removed the standard utility deduction for most households (except those with older adults or people with disabilities). Bruskin said about 118,000 SNAP participants in Maryland benefited from the standard utility allotment that is now removed for most…
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