In a significant move to address hunger and streamline aid distribution, Alaska lawmakers voted on Wednesday night to expand eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps. This decision follows over a year of severe delays in food stamp distribution, which left thousands of Alaskans without necessary aid, pushing many into debt and overwhelming food pantries. The backlog was finally cleared in March.
Alaska will now join 42 other states in adopting “broad based categorical eligibility” (BBCE) for SNAP. This approach simplifies the application process, lowers the eligibility requirements, and is expected to reduce the administrative burden that contributed to the backlog in the state’s Division of Public Assistance.
Ron Meehan, director of government affairs for Food Banks of Alaska, expressed relief and excitement about the expansion. “This has been a significant priority for the Alaska Food Coalition and the Food Bank of Alaska for at least a decade,” Meehan said. He noted that the new policy would make a substantial difference for food-insecure families across the state.
The BBCE policy extends eligibility to households with incomes less than twice the federal poverty line, up from the previous threshold of 130% of the poverty line. This change will allow more people to qualify for aid and save enough to eventually transition off the program. The bill also eliminates the asset test, which disqualified individuals with more than $4,000 in savings from receiving food aid, forcing those with modest assets to deplete their resources before qualifying for assistance.
Rep. Genevieve Mina, D-Anchorage, who sponsored the bill, emphasized its potential to help thousands of Alaskans. “This legislation will not only feed more Alaskans but also provide access to free lunch for more children,” Mina said. “This is a critical step in addressing our state’s food crisis.”
Mina, who witnessed the food stamp backlog firsthand as a legislative staffer in 2021, has been a driving force behind the policy change. Her proposal, House Bill 196, was incorporated into House Bill 344, which passed unanimously in the Senate and by a 26-14 vote in the House. Lawmakers have hailed the bill’s passage as a major achievement of the legislative session.
Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, Senate majority leader, supported Mina’s efforts, highlighting the bipartisan recognition of the food insecurity problem across Alaska. “We saw a unique opportunity amid the chaos to implement lasting solutions,” Giessel said.
Since 2022, the state has been working to address the backlog, with Governor Mike Dunleavy allocating over $70 million to enhance the state’s response. These funds have been used for computer system upgrades, hiring new staff, and providing direct aid to food banks. Supporters of the new legislation view it as a proactive step towards addressing food instability in Alaska.
Despite the anticipated increase in food aid, the expansion will cost the state only about $140,000, as SNAP benefits are federally funded. Mina worked closely with Division of Public Assistance Director Deb Etheridge to ensure the changes would streamline application processing. She emphasized the importance of investing in technology and retaining staff to maintain efficiency.
“These efforts are coming together to create a system that better serves Alaskans,” Mina said. “By next year, we hope to see fewer hungry Alaskans and more transitioning off the program successfully.”
