A proposal from the Trump Administration would change the requirements to qualify for free lunch at schools, and local leaders in the fight against hunger say it could have a ripple effect throughout Central New York.
The change was proposed over the summer and would impact 3 million people who receive SNAP, according to the Agriculture Department. If those families lose their SNAP benefits, about 500,000 children would lose access to free meals at school.
The public comment period on the change closed Monday and, according to the New York Times, included more than 75,000 comments. The Agriculture Department is considering tightening the rule that currently allows people on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to automatically become eligible for food stamps.
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