SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A pair of bills introduced by Vermont Senator Peter Welch aim to help people receiving food stamps get the most bag for their buck.
Welch, who made a visit to the South Burlington Senior Center Friday, says the bills are designed to ensure that the SNAP benefit program accurately captures the financial reality of those who rely on it.
The Student Loan Deduction Act of 2024 would allow participants in SNAP to deduct monthly payments made on federal and private student loans from their income. And The COLAs Don’t Count Act of 2024 would exempt Social Security’s annual cost-of-living adjustments for seniors.
Welch says this will help to keep seniors and students afloat when it comes to the increased cost of food. “The groceries — that’s where it is really, really tough for people. Of course everybody is affected, but if you’re lower income, you don’t have the margin. In Washington, we do have some bipartisan support because this issue about food insecurity, it affects people in every state,” Welch said Friday.
Anti-hunger advocates have said federally funded anti-hunger program benefit formulas have not kept up with increased demand or inflation.
Related Stories:
Advocates push for Vermont SNAP program upgrades
