The Arc is concerned that a new federal rule in the food stamp program will hurt hundreds of thousands of people who experience food insecurity, including many with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The change to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), made final by the USDA this week, will make it harder for many people with IDD and their families to put food on the table, despite existing but often hard-to-access exemptions for people who receive benefits on the basis of their disability.

The new rule, unfortunately the first in a series of three in the works, will make it more difficult for states to waive arbitrary time limits for some people to receive SNAP benefits. Based on data from 2018, the new rule will take away the food safety net from an average of more than 600,000 households a month and just over 100,000 households will receive lower benefits.

“People with disabilities and their families, as well as those with chronic health conditions, are more likely to experience food insecurity. The Administration acknowledged receiving more than 100,000 comments from the public, mostly in opposition, concerning this change to SNAP when it was a proposal,” said Peter Berns, CEO, The Arc. “It is stunning that the USDA still decided to move forward with a plan that limits access to food for so many people. We opposed the proposal and we condemn the final rule.”