Since 1981, U.S. citizens residing in Puerto Rico have been excluded from SNAP and from receiving the same nutrition assistance provided to other low-income Americans simply because they live in Puerto Rico, exacerbating food insecurity for the most vulnerable, particularly during times of emergency.
More than 40% of the Puerto Rican population lives under the federal poverty line, which is nearly four times higher than the U.S. national average of 12.8%. Puerto Rico's childhood poverty rates are even more alarming, with 57% of children living in poverty compared to 18% of children in the U.S. Despite these extreme poverty levels, Congress has either limited or entirely excluded residents of Puerto Rico from multiple, vital federal benefit programs intended to provide our poorest and most vulnerable with the economic interventions that meet their most basic needs.
We can change this injustice now by including Puerto Rico’s transition into SNAP in the 2023 Farm Bill. Tell Congress to Act! Together, we can ensure that Puerto Rico is included in SNAP!
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