The reevaluation process for Medicaid coverage has complicated the renewal process for applicants for the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) program, popularly known as “food stamps.”
A report this week from NBC News warns of the obstacles that recipients of the food assistance program face due to the bureaucratic process involved in registering for Medicaid.
The situation for thousands of SNAP beneficiaries was complicated when the pandemic provision for automatic renewal of health coverage was rescinded in the spring.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government declared a public health emergency (PHE) and passed a law that allowed continued or automatic Medicaid coverage to be maintained.
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 not only provided a 6.2% increase in federal funding for Medicaid during the health emergency; Also, states that met maintenance of effort (MOE) requirements would receive more money.
Under the MOE, districts were required to reduce the income levels established for Medicaid eligibility and adopt new provisions for enrollment in the program, among other provisions.
Medicaid automatic renewal ended March 31
However, the grace period ended on March 31, so from that date on, the person must complete the process to renew coverage under Medicaid.
The above has caused delays in the processes. In some cases, renewal forms have been lost and people are facing difficulties in contacting workers at government call centres.
Other Americans have reported experiencing complications completing the interview required to be recertified for SNAP benefits.
“The cancellation of Medicaid has created enormous problems for administrative staff,” Leighton Ku, director of the Center for Health Policy Research at the Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, told NBC.
Much of the problem, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, is that states use the same workers and computer systems to classify Medicaid and SNAP recipients, creating difficulties. In some cases, there is not enough staff to handle the additional workload due to Medicaid cancellations.
In states such as Montana, Missouri and Virginia, for example, cases of missing applications have been reported.
“Our clients are already living on a knife edge, and this could be the final blow,” warned Megan Dishong, deputy director of the Montana Legal Services Association.
One of several battles for SNAP recipients
That’s just one of the battles low-income Americans who receive SNAP have to deal with.
Last March, millions of recipients in 32 states were left without additional funds for food due to a reduction in pandemic emergency funds.
Last December, the fiscal year 2023 omnibus or federal spending bill ended the emergency stipend granted under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
Changes in work requirements by age
Another key change to SNAP went into effect on September 1 as a result of the implementation of the Fiscal Responsibility Act. On that date, able-bodied adults without dependents up to age 50 (ABAWD) must demonstrate that they work at least 80 hours per month or are enrolled in an education or job training program to receive program funds.
Prior to that date, ABAWD limits apply to adults between the ages of 18 and 49.
The new rules for SNAP gradually increase the age of applicants from 18-49 to 18-54 between September and October of next year.
The second increase in the age group entered vifor on October 1. That day the age of able-bodied adults without dependents increased to 52.
Finally, on October 1, 2024, the third age increase will be effective up to 54 years.
On October 1, 2030, the provisions of the law will become void.
Keep reading:
Work requirements to obtain SNAP coupons will change again next year
SNAP Food Stamps: How often does USDA increase checks based on cost of living?