Race Day Live In 2015, Kansas passed a law called the HOPE Act, which made it harder for people in need to get food and cash assistance.
Some people think the law is too harsh and hurts families, while others believe it helps people find jobs and reduces poverty.
Now, the governor of Kansas wants to change this law and make it easier for people to access food assistance programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families).
Other states are also thinking about making similar changes.
The federal government provides funding for these programs, but each state decides how to run them.
In Kansas, lawmakers believed the HOPE Act would prevent people from relying too much on government help, reduce fraud, and encourage work.
However, many families have struggled because of strict rules, and the number of people getting help has dropped. Some reports say this has even led to more children entering the foster care system.
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, who opposed the HOPE Act when it was introduced, now wants to update the law and expand food and cash assistance.
Kansas currently has fewer children receiving SNAP and TANF than almost any other state. But making changes won’t be easy, as the state legislature is controlled by lawmakers who support strict welfare rules.
There are six main issues that critics say have made it difficult for Kansans to get help. First, Kansas reduced the time people can receive TANF benefits to 24 months, even though the federal government allows 60 months.
Second, in 2022, Kansas used less than 7% of the $161 million in available TANF funds for basic needs assistance.
The HOPE Act also placed limits on ATM withdrawals, made people with repeat drug offenses ineligible, required applicants to work 30 hours a week or take job training, and cut cash assistance programs by 40% while increasing foster care prevention spending.
While Kansas is looking to make changes, the federal government may introduce new restrictions.
Currently, Republicans control the White House, Congress, and the Supreme Court, which means there is a possibility that Kansas’ strict policies could become a national model.
During his first term, former President Donald Trump proposed cutting $20 billion from TANF and $200 billion from SNAP.
He also suggested requiring states to pay 25% of these benefits, which would be a major shift from the current system where the federal government covers the costs.
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Some lawmakers are pushing for policies that would make it easier for people to get food and cash assistance.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Representative Alma Adams have proposed the Closing the Meal Gap Act, which would change the way SNAP benefits are calculated to better match the real cost of food.
Representative Jimmy Gomez and Senator Gillibrand have suggested the EATS Act, which would allow low-income college students to receive SNAP benefits more easily.
Representative Grace Meng has introduced the Hot Foods Act, which would let SNAP recipients buy hot prepared meals, which is currently not allowed.
As 2025 approaches, debates over these programs will continue. Some states want to expand benefits to help more people, while others support stricter rules.
Meanwhile, federal policymakers may introduce cuts or reforms that could impact millions of Americans who rely on these programs.
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