Protect the Connection Between 3SquaresVT & LIHEAP

In the Senate, the Agriculture Committee has proposed a $4.5 billion cut to SNAP (called 3SquaresVT in Vermont) over the next 10 years by reducing the ability of states to take part in the "Heat and Eat" program.  

The link between the LIHEAP (heating assistance) program and 3SquaresVT allows Vermont to streamline the bureacracy and provide additional food stamps to applicants with high heating costs.  It also ensures that families that live in buildings where utilities are included in their rent are still eligible for additional food benefits. 

All of us pay high heating bills in Vermont in the winter.  Heat in our long winters is a necessity for survival.  Even those of us who heat with efficient natural gas or wood stoves see huge spikes in our fuel bills in the winter.  Preserving the connection between LIHEAP and 3SquaresVT allows our state to avoid going through the onerous task of verifying each applicant's utility bills to determine benefit levels.  It also helps provide additional food assistance to families in the winter months when heating costs compete most with the family food budget. 

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the proposed Agriculture Committee SNAP cut would result in an average benefit cut of $90 per month, meaning a significant cut to food dollars for these families.

We are currently urging our Senators to consider co-sponsoring Senator Gillabrand's (NY) amendment to restore the SNAP cuts made to the Heat and Eat program during the Farm Bill mark up.  No Vermonter should ever have to choose between heat or food.