1. Farm Bill, ARRA & Food Stamps Sept. 30, Oct. 1 & Nov. 1

2. Farm Bill Process June: Senate passed a Farm Bill that cuts $4.1 billion from food stamps by eliminating “Heat & Eat” - allows Basic Food-eligible households to receive LIHEAP and use standard utility deduction to streamline enrollment process (no utility costs paperwork required) Also created first-ever federal lifetime ban for certain felons

3. Farm Bill Process House floor debate resulted in many amendments that added up to $40 billion in cuts and major changes in eligibility, outreach and more. Farm Bill died in the House - not enough ‘yes’ votes.

4. Farm Bill July: House voted to split apart Farm Bill into 2 parts: Ag-only bill and Nutrition. Ag-only bill passed. No bill was introduced for Nutrition (food stamps & programs for food banks) before Congress recessed for August.

5. Farm Bill NOW: House leadership (Rs) will release Nutrition bill, ‘SNAP Reform and Opportunity’ – maybe today. House vote possible next week. It will cut $40 billion from SNAP: no Heat & Eat, no Categorical Eligibility, new work requirements to receive benefits, incentives to states to cut caseloads, changes in outreach contracts and more.

6. Sept. 30 Deadline If no agreement between House & Senate by deadline, Farm Bill expires, as does funding for many parts of federal government – government shut down. Solution: A Continuing Resolution: keep everything the same as now for a defined period.

7. Advocacy Opportunities Anti-Hunger & Nutrition Coalition: www.WSAHNC.org Click on “Our Priorities in DC” to download & print our Empty Refrigerator campaign Call or fax your member of Congress

8. Oct. 1 Annual Adjustment Every Oct. 1, food stamp benefits are adjusted to reflect changes in the cost of living. It is expected that benefits will increase slightly on Oct. 1 for most households to reflect higher cost of living (mostly due to higher food costs).

9. ARRA and Nov. 1 In the depths of the recession in 2009, the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA, or “stimulus package”) passed to stimulate the economy. ARRA included a temporary 14% increase in food stamp benefits – this is expected to expire Nov. 1.

10. Benefit changes for clients this fall: Oct. 1 – Slight increase for most because of annual cost of living adjustment Nov. 1 – Decrease of approx. 14% for most because of end of ARRA boost in benefits.

11. Changes for a household with NO income Household Size Oct. 1, 2013 (ARRA level) Nov. 1, 2013Difference 1$200$189-$11 2$367$347-$20 3$526$497-$29 4$668$632-$36 5$793$750-$43 6$952$900-$52 7$1,052$995-$57 8$1,202$1,137-$65 Add on$150$142-$8