TUCSON, Ariz. — Food prices keep rising, making it tough for many families, especially those with low incomes. Since Congress approved a major budget bill last summer, more people in Arizona are losing their food assistance benefits.
Food banks, like the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, notice the struggle. Many who rely on these banks are feeling the pinch of higher costs and stricter rules around government aid.
Lisa Paul, a local resident, shared her experience. “I used to get $110 in assistance; now it’s down to $94. My husband’s help dropped drastically when he took a part-time job, and now he gets nothing.” She relies on food banks and SNAP—formerly known as food stamps—to put food on the table.
After the passage of what some call the Big Beautiful Bill, Arizona has seen a stunning 47% drop in SNAP users, which is more than any other state, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. A big part of this decline is the new burden on families to prove they qualify for assistance.
Sio Castillo, who works at the Food Bank, notes the impact. “People who were getting benefits are now struggling to get them reinstated. The state says they qualify, but it can take 30 days or more to receive any help,” he explains.
The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) is responsible for implementing SNAP. They report that the recent federal bill introduces significant changes, especially for able-bodied adults without dependents. Stricter verification processes are also in place to reduce the payment error rate (PER), which tracks how many beneficiaries receive too much or too little.
If the PER exceeds 6%, Arizona could face substantial penalties, which would be a burden on the state’s budget. To improve service, DES is increasing staff overtime and expanding vendor capabilities to help expedite applications.
But these statistics represent real lives. For people like Lisa, it’s a frustrating cycle. “It feels like you’re just going in circles, getting nowhere,” she says.
As food costs climb and assistance dwindles, the need for support from local food banks continues to grow. It’s a reminder that communities must come together to help those facing tougher times.
Source link
Craig Smith,DES,Food bank,KGUN9,food stamps,snap
