PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES NEED SNAP

People with disabilities are likelier to live in poverty, families with children with disabilities are likelier to face hardships such as an inability to pay rent, and families with members with severe disabilities have rates of food insecurity close to three times higher than other families. Food insecurity can be especially harmful for people with disabilities, as an insufficient diet can worsen some disabling or chronic conditions. Many SNAP participants with disabilities receive benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). But many others have impairments that aren’t severe enough to qualify them for disability benefits; still others have applied for SSI or SSDI but haven’t yet been approved. About 40% of non-disabled adult SNAP participants with an impairment receive neither SSI nor SSDI. That’s important because if these individuals aren’t considered disabled under SNAP program rules, they might not be protected if a new Farm Bill exempts people with disabilities from SNAP eligibility or benefits cuts.

Source: Center for Budget & Policy Priorities, 6/15/17, SNAP & Disabilities