New SNAP requirements from congressional Republicans take effect in Arizona

After congressional Republicans approved new SNAP requirements as part of H.R. 1 last July, states across the country have seen less residents receiving food stamps. While the Trump administration argues those changes were necessary to eliminate waste, critics say there was very little evidence of fraud.

Arizonans are feeling this policy’s impact. According to a study by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the cuts to SNAP in Arizona are disproportionally higher to those in other states. Arizona’s Department of Economic Security, the state agency responsible for administering SNAP, has removed over half of Arizona’s food stamp recipients year-over-year.

Camryn Sanchez, a senior field correspondent at KJZZ, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss how these SNAP requirements could be making it harder for former beneficiaries to prove they’re still eligible.

Sanchez explained how the department’s new way of conducting interviews has resulted in a loss of benefits.

“DES requires an interview of the applicants, and you used to be able to go and do that in person. You could go to the DES offices. Now you’re actually not allowed to do that. You have to do it on the phone. And you have to do that phone call with DES within a certain amount of time. However, if they don’t pick up the phone and you miss the window, you’re not eligible, you lose your benefits,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez detailed the two parties’ talking points regarding SNAP requirements.

“Democrats and Governor (Katie) Hobbs have been saying, ‘This is all the fault of Trump and federal Republicans because they passed H.R. 1. And we’re not doing anything here at DES besides implementing those changes. We don’t want to cut anyone from SNAP who was previously on it.’ Whereas DES and the Republicans here in Arizona have a difference of opinion. The Republicans here say, ‘If anything’s going wrong, it’s the governor’s fault.'”