The new Farm Bill was signed into law a little over a month ago. It includes $8.9 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps. Those $8.9 billion come from eliminating a loophole known as “heat and eat”, which tied food benefits to heating assistance. That loophole was only used in 17 states, including Vermont. And those states are now trying to find ways to fill the gap in food assistance funding.
Dave Yacavone is the Commissioner of the Department for Children and Families. He spoke with Vermont Edition about the cuts for food stamp recipients and whether the state will step in to fill the gap.
