On a mild Wednesday in late March, people lined up at the House of Hope mobile food pantry in West Virginia, waiting for hours for groceries. Perry Hall stood in line, while his wife Lilly volunteered. Perry, battling cancer, relies on $1,500 a month from Social Security and food assistance from SNAP. Lilly, at 59, recently faced new work requirements for SNAP that could threaten their benefits.
The new rules state that adults under 65 without dependents must work, volunteer, or train for at least 80 hours a month to keep their benefits. This change can now affect parents of teens aged 14 or older and eliminates exemptions for veterans and those who were homeless. Advocates of these requirements argue they encourage work and reduce dependency on government aid, claiming it upholds the “dignity of work.”
However, Rhonda Rogombé, a health policy analyst, studied the impact of these rules and found that they do not actually lower unemployment rates. After restrictions were reinstated in fall 2023 post-pandemic, Mingo County saw a drop in employed individuals. A 2018 federal study echoed this, showing no significant impact of work requirements on job participation. “When people are hungry, it’s hard to focus on work,” Rogombé noted. Unemployment is a significant issue in Mingo County, where job opportunities are scarce.
On distribution days, the House of Hope pantry hands out up to 400 boxes of food, including essentials like chicken and fresh produce. Timothy Treleven, who manages the pantry, sees a mix of older residents and young people struggling to find work. The pantry schedules its distributions for the last Saturday of each month, a crucial time for families when funds are running low.
Mingo County’s population has decreased from 27,000 in 2010 to just under 22,000 today, primarily due to the decline of the coal industry. Approximately 25% of residents live in poverty. Many face barriers to employment, such as lack of education, housing instability, and limited transportation options.
Filing for SNAP benefits can also be daunting. About 25% of residents lack reliable internet access, making it hard to complete necessary paperwork.
Changes are on the horizon for SNAP. Starting in October, states will need to cover 75% of administrative costs, which could prompt some to reduce program participation. Kentucky, like West Virginia, risks losing up to 114,000 residents from SNAP due to the new work requirements, according to the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy.
Experts warn that cutting SNAP benefits could worsen health outcomes. Jessica Klein, a researcher, highlights that food security is linked to overall health, affecting everything from obesity to medication adherence. As states face financial pressures, some might even choose to opt-out of SNAP entirely.
Despite these challenges, local food pantries like Blessing Barn continue to support the community. Janet Gibson, who runs the Blessing Barn, knows many families by name and works tirelessly to feed them. Transportation issues compound the struggle to find and maintain employment in the area.
Single mother Trista Shankle from Kentucky understands the fragility of these benefits. She has overcome various challenges and is working toward a master’s degree while relying on SNAP and other supports. “Those benefits provide peace of mind,” she said, emphasizing their importance for her family’s well-being.
Today, Lilly Hall is excited to work at a local restaurant. “When that waitress slot opens, I’ll grab it fast!” she said, eager for better opportunities. The ongoing changes in SNAP could alter lives significantly, and communities continue to rally support for those in need amidst uncertainty.
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