Feeding Texas joined a coalition of anti-hunger groups Wednesday urging state legislators to quickly pass a pair of bipartisan bills that would streamline access to nutrition assistance among Texas seniors and people with disabilities.
The companion bills, filed in the House by Representative Armando Walle (D-Houston) and in the Senate by Senators Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) and Royce West (D-Dallas), would direct the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to simplify the lengthy SNAP application and recertification process for Texas households composed exclusively of seniors or people with disabilities.
"Last week's storm reminded each of us how important it is to look after our neighbors," said Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas. "These bills will help clear the path for our elders and neighbors with disabilities to access food when disaster strikes."
Eligibility for SNAP involves a complicated set of factors including household income, assets, and expenses. The resulting application and documentation requirements are common barriers for Texans seeking aid. But seniors and people with disabilities often have stable financial situations that can make determining their eligibility much easier.
Prior to COVID-19, Texas had the fifth-highest rate of senior food insecurity in the nation with 11% of seniors at risk for hunger, according to the national group Feeding America. Research by the USDA also shows that people with disabilities experience higher levels of poverty and face an increased risk for food insecurity.
A similar bill filed two years ago passed on a bipartisan basis through the Senate and a House committee, but did not receive a House floor vote before the legislature adjourned.
"There's clearly bipartisan support to help seniors and people with disabilities access the federal benefits they are eligible for," said Cole. "We look forward to working with the bill authors and a broad coalition of advocates to make these changes while the need for food is so great."
Feeding Texas leads a unified effort for a hunger-free Texas.
www.feedingtexas.org