Ben Chrisinger

🙏

Right, and the writers?

SNAP Recipients Could See Benefits Within Days After Government Reopens The USDA claims SNAP benefits could go out within 24 hours for most states once the shutdown ends.

SNAP experts say the exact time people can expect their benefits may vary by state. But they anticipate a fairly quick process, since states and Electronic Benefit Transfer vendors have been preparing for this moment.

WAPO: “.. The Agriculture Department is preparing to fire an employee in the division that handles food benefits after she publicly warned that the shutdown could have negative impacts on the millions of Americans who rely on the federal government ..”

www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

As a sober person I feel excluded

How Biden’s Thrifty Food Plan Change Broke SNAP’s Cost Controls A 2021 “technical reevaluation” turned into a $180 billion entitlement expansion. Congress should reverse it.

Context: this was also published a few days ago

That’s what I think. But I was really surprised to see TFP. Maybe just a misunderstanding, but clearly it’s on administrators’ minds.

Screenshot of text: "MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) received notification the night of Saturday, November 8, 2025, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). As per FNS, this was “a follow up to the guidance shared on October 10, October 24, November 4, November 5, and November 7, 2025…” The November 8 memorandum told states to process partial SNAP payments with a 35 percent reduction of the maximum allotments, as per the November 5 guidance. It is important to understand that the Thrifty Food Plan was changed; and as a result, a straight 35 percent reduction from a recipients’ normal monthly benefit may not be the amount received. At this time, DHR is working to update the SNAP system with the change in the Thrifty Food Plan to determine each household’s benefit amount at the reduced rate. DHR is hopeful to release benefits by the end of this week, barring any changes from FNS and/or any unforeseen problems in making changes to the SNAP system."

SNAP wonks: help me figure this out!

AL is telling folks reduced SNAP amounts are because of a "change in the Thrifty Food Plan" (see link).

TFP is a GOP target (sets SNAP benefit amts) & "Big Beautiful Bill" limited how often it can be updated...

dhr.alabama.gov/november-sna...

#econsky 🛟 🥗

... but I'm not seeing anything in all of the recent USDA memos talking about TFP as rationale for the 50% then 35% benefit reductions.

Also - if the partial benefit calculations USDA asked states to use is a pilot test for a less-generous TFP of the future, this is cause for concern.

Screenshot of text: "MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) received notification the night of Saturday, November 8, 2025, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). As per FNS, this was “a follow up to the guidance shared on October 10, October 24, November 4, November 5, and November 7, 2025…” The November 8 memorandum told states to process partial SNAP payments with a 35 percent reduction of the maximum allotments, as per the November 5 guidance. It is important to understand that the Thrifty Food Plan was changed; and as a result, a straight 35 percent reduction from a recipients’ normal monthly benefit may not be the amount received. At this time, DHR is working to update the SNAP system with the change in the Thrifty Food Plan to determine each household’s benefit amount at the reduced rate. DHR is hopeful to release benefits by the end of this week, barring any changes from FNS and/or any unforeseen problems in making changes to the SNAP system."

SNAP wonks: help me figure this out!

AL is telling folks reduced SNAP amounts are because of a "change in the Thrifty Food Plan" (see link).

TFP is a GOP target (sets SNAP benefit amts) & "Big Beautiful Bill" limited how often it can be updated...

dhr.alabama.gov/november-sna...

#econsky 🛟 🥗

Withholding cash assistance from low-income folks is an economic own-goal.

What do these households do with benefits? SPEND THEM.

On goods and services in every county and state across the country.

Thanks to @massgovernor.bsky.social Maura Healey for standing up for Massachusetts residents who rely on SNAP to put food on the table! In a time when many are facing uncertainty and anxiety due to the ongoing chaos surrounding SNAP, her leadership ensures EBT cards are fully funded.

SNAP judgments into the digital age: Reporting on food stamps varies significantly with time, publication type, and political leaning The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the second-largest and most contentious public assistance program administered by the United States government. The media forums where SNAP disc...

If this earlier research holds true, I'm guessing that coverage of November SNAP being withheld was more about hunger in left-leaning outlets and more about costs and work on the right.

How Biden’s Thrifty Food Plan Change Broke SNAP’s Cost Controls A 2021 “technical reevaluation” turned into a $180 billion entitlement expansion. Congress should reverse it.

Even when November SNAP benefits are restored, don't forget that new work requirements will considerably shrink the eligible population.

Benefit amounts (under a recalculated Thrifty Food Plan) are also being targeted.

Watch the space.

🥗 🛟

Op-ed: SNAP Is a Lifeline. I Know Firsthand. SNAP reduces hunger, lifts children out of poverty, improves health outcomes, and supports local economies.

Op-ed: SNAP reduces hunger, lifts children out of poverty, improves health outcomes, and supports local economies. It is one of the most effective anti-poverty tools this country has ever created.

Would think that the Walmart SVP will have something to say on this, as they are the LARGEST SNAP RETAILER

Can I just say having a federal FOOD AS MEDICINE discussion while also doing legal gymnastics to KEEP FOOD FROM PEOPLE is just 🤯

Just trying to offer some positivity for folks who have decided they want to go through the academic job search.

You’re right that folks face tough choices and might want pursue other options (those are valid, too!)

For folks on the academic job market this year:

Remember that rejection is the *most common* experience.

It’s hard out there. Even in better times excellent candidates are rejected.

Impossible to know exactly why we get rejected. Just stay focused on your good work. Keep going.
#academicsky

By today, about ~30 million people should’ve received full SNAP benefits for November. Most have not.

The variation in how states have handled the none/partial/full back-and-forth is staggering. And state stop-gap support cannot continue indefinitely.

🥗 🛟

The rise of sports betting is a growing public health crisis Sports betting is more addictive than ever, and millions of young Americans are paying the price.

“The consequences extend beyond lost money. Hazardous gambling is correlated with increased rates of anxiety and depression, and young men who engage in it are more likely to slide into a full-blown gambling addiction. Boys who frequently gamble miss more classes, perform worse in school”

I have been thinking about this a lot lately

“Undoing” SNAP payments is next to impossible (and obviously cruel).

This is such a far cry from “government efficiency”… the recalculations, the updates, the rescheduling, the court proceedings. Extra costs for all of that.

And for a program that worked remarkably well, until this month.

🥗 🛟

US judge temporarily blocks Trump move for states to 'undo' food aid benefits A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration's directive that U.S. states "undo" steps they took to issue full snap food aid benefits, according to a court notice on Monday.

Forgot “take SNAP back” as a mind-blowingly cruel addendum to this list

Snap workers rebuke Trump administration over funding: ‘using our country’s poorest as pawns’ Employees providing assistance to recipients expressed fears on how lack of aid will affect those who need it most

No SNAP. 1/2 SNAP. 65% SNAP. Full SNAP. Court order to prevent full SNAP...

The state agencies trying to keep up with these changes and administer SNAP are reeling.

I'll say it again:
CONSISTENCY is a core, critical feature of SNAP. The program is undermined by unpredictability. 🥗 🛟

SNAP prevents hunger, yes.

But it also helps the *worry* about hunger.

Despite the program’s shortcomings, its consistency - for decades - has been an incredible strength.

Great reporting on the impacts of cuts by @marisakabas.bsky.social

The psychological toll of this chaos… staggering.

Such a critical feature of this is the consistency.

SNAP is there when you need it: You can rely on it. You can plan around it. You can budget for it.

We should obviously be concerned about hunger. But *worry* about hunger is its own danger.

🥗 🛟

Good.

But folks with benefit dates later in the month shouldn’t have to worry that a court appeal could leave them without SNAP.

This is the thing: if SNAP isn’t safe, nothing’s safe.

It bridges urban and rural, anti poverty and agribusiness. If those stakeholders/lobbyists can’t keep SNAP from being withheld, know that everything else is on the table.