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Permanent LinkMeeting Public Comments
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A bill for an act relating to public assistance program oversight.(See SF 494.)
Subcommittee members: Edler-CH, Costello, Trone Garriott
Date: Thursday, February 2, 2023
Time: 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Location: Room G15
Comments Submitted:
Download CommentsThe purpose of comments is to provide information to members of the subcommittee.
Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.
02-01-2023
Sandy Wilson [Citizen Engagement]
Citizen Engagement declares IN FAVOR of SSB 1105.
02-01-2023
EJ Wallace [Save the Children Action Network ]
Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) is registered in opposition. Additional validation steps and strict asset limits hurt families' access to essential food benefits they qualify for. Recommend not moving this bill forward and focusing on expanding access to fresh food instead. Facts: . 286,100 Iowa residents, or 9% of the state population are reached by SNAP benefits, 42% of beneficiaries are children.. According to recent national SCAN and Save the Children bipartisan polling, 77% of parents indicated they are concerned they won't be able to provide enough food for their families over the next year. . Proper nutrition, especially in the first five years, is critical to brain development, 90% of which occurs over that same time. Now is not the time to make it harder for families to access benefits.
02-01-2023
Melissa Caras []
42% of SNAP recipients are children, and with 80,190 children facing hunger in Iowa, now is not the time to make it harder for children to get the nutrition they need. I strongly oppose additional asset limits and additional verification requirements to qualify for food benefits, and I encourage you to instead support policies that improve access to healthy, fresh foods.
02-01-2023
Linda Sorden []
Come on the children are going to bed hungry out here can you really live with litterly snatching the food out of their hands ? Require a nutrition seminar to teach moms how to stretch snap $$$ Do no harm should be YOUR motto
02-01-2023
Jessi Balk [Save the Children Action Network]
42% of SNAP recipients are children, and with 80,190 children facing hunger in Iowa, now is not the time to make it harder for children to get the nutrition they need. I strongly oppose additional asset limits and additional verification requirements to qualify for food benefits, and I encourage you to instead support policies that improve access to healthy, fresh foods.
02-01-2023
Norma Karr []
What are you thinking or Are you!!!!!!!! This is not the time to raise qualifications for SNAP. We have hungry children in this country and I dont see any of you trying to solve this problem! Do not make it harder than it should be. Our brilliant governor has screwed up enough
02-01-2023
Louise Alcorn []
I'm shocked that Iowa legislators are considering reducing access to food for children. This is shameful. 42% of SNAP recipients are children, and with 80,190 children facing hunger in Iowa, now is not the time to make it harder for children to get the nutrition they need. I strongly oppose additional asset limits and additional verification requirements to qualify for food benefits, and I encourage you to instead support policies that improve access to healthy, fresh foods. The "no candy or soda" provision is simply classist and unnecessary. Parents do their best to make choices for their children they don't need more pressure on those choices. Thank you for your time.
02-01-2023
Richard Burnell []
No child should go hungry in the USA .
02-01-2023
Coleen Ashlock []
42% of SNAP recipients are children and with 80,190 children facing hunger in Iowa, now is not the time to make it harder for children to get nutrition they need. I strongly encourage you to instead support policies that improve access to healthy fresh foods.
02-01-2023
Patsy Martinson []
42% of SNAP recipients are children, and with 80,190 children facing hunger in Iowa, now is not the time to make it harder for children to get the nutrition they need. I strongly oppose additional asset limits and additional verification requirements to qualify for food benefits, and I encourage you to instead support policies that improve access to healthy, fresh foods
02-01-2023
Norine Kennedy []
42% of SNAP recipients are children, and with 80,190 children facing hunger in Iowa, now is not the time to make it harder for children to get the nutrition they need. I strongly oppose additional asset limits and additional verification requirements to qualify for food benefits, and I encourage you to instead support policies that improve access to healthy, fresh foods.
02-01-2023
Christa Driscoll Eads [Advocate ]
As an Advocate for Children, families, and the hungry l have concerns about the SSB 1105. I think as this topic is being looked at because we know that there individuals that abuse the SNAP program and those whom do not. I Belvedere that it is un fair for those that follow the guidelines to be punished because of those who abuse the program. I was glad to see that fresh meat of chicken, beef, pork where added back to the program. Since this the number one source of protein and first on the list for the use SNAPS. Protein helps build minds and bodies and is needed to do those things. Canned meets can introduce many grams of fat and preservatives. The change to include fresh meat again deserves thumbs up! Unfortunately there is thumbs down for the introduction of the SSB 1105 and that is the addition ( which at one time in the proposals is the addition of candy and pop! While we are looking at the SNAP program why dont we loo at the over all heath and wellness of the program that influences better eating habits along with making changes to the WIC list that allows for better healthier food choices. My child is disable with a mental health issue and uses the SNAP program and is overweight and his overall health could use major over hauling and with a choice of better food products wold be the fist step. The U.S.A. Is known for being one of the most obese countries in the world. Lets start from the ground up. Please amend this bill to exclude candy, pop, and other junk food.
02-01-2023
Dean DePree []
The proposed changes to SNAP are designed to hurt the disadvantaged, in order to please millionaire PAC donors. Very hypocritical for the party that claims to be prolife. Use your time & energy to take dark money out of campaigns.
02-01-2023
Allison Canning []
42% of SNAP recipients are children, and with 80,190 children facing hunger in Iowa, now is not the time to make it harder for children to get the nutrition they need. I strongly oppose additional asset limits and additional verification requirements to qualify for food benefits, and I encourage you to instead support policies that improve access to healthy, fresh foods.
02-01-2023
Teresa Hadro [Sisters of Charity, BVM]
42% of SNAP recipients are children, and with 80,190 children facing hunger in Iowa, now is not the time to make it harder for children to get the nutrition they need. I strongly oppose additional asset limits and additional verification requirements to qualify for food benefits, and I encourage you to instead support policies that improve access to healthy, fresh foods.
02-01-2023
Vicki Aden []
I oppose this legislation. This bill adds more burdensome requirements on people in need to access food through the SNAP program. Why? You should be trying to reduce food insecurity for Iowans, not increasing hunger in the state. If you are so determined to add asset testing to something, please add it to the giveaway of my tax dollars to wealthy parents already sending their kids to private schools.
02-01-2023
Kelly Wassell []
42% of SNAP recipients are children, and with 80,190 children facing hunger in Iowa, now is not the time to make it harder for children to get the nutrition they need. I strongly oppose additional asset limits and additional verification requirements to qualify for food benefits, and I encourage you to instead support policies that improve access to healthy, fresh foods.
02-01-2023
Ruth Fleming []
42% of SNAP recipients are children, and with 80,190 children facing hunger in Iowa, now is not the time to make it harder for children to get the nutrition they need. I strongly oppose additional asset limits and additional verification requirements to qualify for food benefits, and I encourage you to instead support policies that improve access to healthy, fresh foods.In addition, please make sure youth up to high school graduation are covered. Good nutrition during these critical growth years is extremely important to ensure the health of any children eventually born to these teens and helps prevent health problems in their old age. Young adults who have aged out of foster care should also be considered.
02-01-2023
Karen Beine []
Over sight bill
02-01-2023
Tiffany Welch []
I strongly oppose SSB1105. Over 80,000 Iowa children benefit from SNAP, and making it harder for families to qualify will hurt our most vulnerable citizens. The asset limits make it harder for families to help themselves out of tough spots by discouraging saving for the future. Please focus on making healthy food more accessible, not less, like funding double up food bucks.
02-01-2023
Leann Gail Wells Huber []
I know it sounds cliche' but children are our future. If we don't meet their most basic needs we are turning our backs on them. Children are the basis of our entire civilization. We need to treat them to the best!
02-01-2023
Mary Airy []
42% of SNAP recipients are children, and with 80,190 children facing hunger in Iowa, now is not the time to make it harder for children to get the nutrition they need. I strongly oppose additional asset limits and additional verification requirements to qualify for food benefits, and I encourage you to instead support policies that improve access to healthy, fresh foods. Iowans care for others and recognize that food security is is important to Iowans wellbeing.
02-01-2023
Emily Johnson []
42% of SNAP recipients are children, and with 80,190 children facing hunger in Iowa, now is not the time to make it harder for children to get the nutrition they need. More and more people are having to get on SNAP due to high prevalence of Long Covid. The postviral conditions that compromise Long Covid have few to no specialists, especially in rural areas. The University of Iowa is not treat Long Covid at this time despite doctors recognizing this growing population, because hospital administrators either arent allocating the funds or say theres not enough funds to cover it.I have had these postviral conditions since childhood through previous viral infections, comorbidity causes and other immune events. POTS, MCAS, MECFS and Mitochondrial Disease are among the most prominent postviral conditions, now affecting at least 20 percent of US residents each. Each of these conditions requires special diets, out of pocket supplements that insurance will not cover, and allergy free food which is extremely expensive and hard to find in some areas.My Social Security Disability Income is less than $1,300 a month. 75 to 80 percent of that goes towards health expenses. SNAP only gives me $23 a month for groceries, so the rest of my income goes to food. Ask yourself if $23 is a humane amount of support to extend. In your hearts, you know its not.In Italy, the government gives allergy vouchers fulling covering the price of gluten free food.US political leadership could be compassionate like this. Instead were left in poverty.I cant afford my own place to live because Iowa wont expand disability housing vouchers. Iowa should be expanding its SNAP award benefits, not putting limitations on it.I strongly oppose additional asset limits and additional verification requirements to qualify for food benefits, and I encourage you to instead support policies that improve access to healthy, fresh foods.
02-01-2023
Bari Hoskins []
42% of SNAP recipients are children, and with 80,190 children facing hunger in Iowa, now is not the time to make it harder for children to get the nutrition they need. I strongly oppose additional asset limits and additional verification requirements to qualify for food benefits, and I encourage you to instead support policies that improve access to healthy, fresh foods.
02-01-2023
Robert Tinsley []
42% of SNAP recipients are children, and with 80,190 children facing hunger in Iowa, now is not the time to make it harder for children to get the nutrition they need. I strongly oppose additional asset limits and additional verification requirements to qualify for food benefits, and I encourage you to instead support policies that improve access to healthy, fresh foods. Food insecurity is the worst it has ever been. Don't hurt Iowa's children
02-01-2023
Jennifer Cooke [Save the Children Action Network ]
42% of SNAP recipients are children, and with 80,190 children facing hunger in Iowa, now is not the time to make it harder for children to get the nutrition they need. I strongly oppose additional asset limits and additional verification requirements to qualify for food benefits, and I encourage you to instead support policies that improve access to healthy, fresh foods.
02-01-2023
Antonino Erba [Please Select]
Do you care about children?
02-01-2023
Laissa Rodriguez []
Senate Study Bill 110542% of SNAP recipients are children, and with 80,190 children facing hunger in Iowa, now is not the time to make it harder for children to get the nutrition they need. I strongly oppose additional asset limits and additional verification requirements to qualify for food benefits, and I encourage you to instead support policies that improve access to healthy, fresh foods.
02-02-2023
Susanne Anderson []
Sample message: 42% of SNAP recipients are children, and with 80,190 children facing hunger in Iowa, now is not the time to make it harder for children to get the nutrition they need. I strongly oppose additional asset limits and additional verification requirements to qualify for food benefits, and I encourage you to instead support policies that improve access to healthy, fresh foods. I benefited from SNAP when my children were very young My husband and I had to work opposite hours and earned minimum wage. When we finally got a second vehicle, our life started to improve but it was a process. A year later we no longer qualified for SNAP. That was hard, but exciting. Now, I am a licensed teacher and my husband is a truck driver. Without SNAP being there, we would not have been able to crawl out of poverty. Please do not limit more than it is. As it is, the income limits are to low for families and a barrier to striving to improve.Thank you for your time.
02-02-2023
Bob Brown [Voter]
I am opposed to SSB 1105 and ask the subcommittee to oppose it. This bill establishes an asset limit of $2,750 for SNAP households, or $4,250 if there is at least one member of the household with a disability or age 60+. Families with more than one vehicle would especially be at risk of losing access to SNAP and this would especially have a dramatic impact on rural Iowans that live in a community without a local grocery store. This is bad legislation for Iowans that are struggling.