A court order has delayed the start of a new rule for food stamps that would have left thousands without benefits.
On Friday, March 13, the U.S. District Court for D.C. issued a nationwide injunction stopping the new waiver criteria – i.e. the SNAP time limit rule for ABAWDs – from taking effect. This is a temporary pause on the rule going into effect until there’s more time for the court to hear arguments and make a final decision. There is no expected date for that decision.
This is incredibly welcome news given the extraordinary circumstances we are facing due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the grave risks of taking SNAP away from those who need it now more than ever. PLEASE pass this information onto others, and of course to people affected! We are very grateful to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office for its work on the lawsuit.
In addition, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) passed by the House includes a provision that would essentially suspend the time limit in all states for the duration of the emergency , unless states opt back in by offering qualifying training slots. A vote is anticipated this week.
Once the bill becomes law, we expect that there then will be no time limit anywhere in Pennsylvania, and individuals who lost SNAP as a result of the time limit will be able to reapply for SNAP.