With less than two days before the federal government shutdown cuts off SNAP benefits, Jewish Federations of North America issued an urgent letter to Congressional leaders late Wednesday, warning of the imminent lapse in the nation’s largest food assistance program — a lifeline for 42 million Americans.

 

The letter was sent to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA), and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).

 

“The consequences of inaction are immediate and avoidable. A lapse in benefits will force families and older adults to skip meals, fall behind on rent and utilities, and delay essential medical care. The impact will be felt not only by households already struggling, but by the nonprofit agencies and faith-based organizations serving them — straining community safety nets beyond capacity,” wrote Jewish Federations President & CEO Eric D. Fingerhut and Jason Wuliger, Chair of Jewish Federations Public Affairs Committee.

 

A large and vulnerable swath of the Jewish community is at risk of losing their benefits:
 

• One in three Holocaust survivors in the United States lives in poverty and depend on programs like SNAP to meet basic needs
   
• 19% of Jewish households report that they are either unable to make ends meet or only just managing to do so
   
• Kosher food remains expensive with some products, particularly meat, costing up to 50% more than non-Kosher products

“If SNAP benefits are not renewed, millions of households will immediately face hunger and hardship. We respectfully urge you to act without delay to ensure uninterrupted SNAP benefits, either through an emergency appropriations measure or by resolving the current funding impasse.”