WASHINGTON — Despite what officials call "fiscal and administrative pressures," the DC Department of Human Services says the agency will fund increases to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP.
The increased funding was approved as part of a 2022 bill, which was passed unanimously. It became law effective March 10, 2023. However, on January 1, when 140,000 residents were supposed to get a raise in their SNAP food benefits, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser refused to fund the increases. In a statement to WUSA9, the mayor's office blamed the refusal on "significant fiscal and human resources pressures" within the Department of Human Services.
"It's not prudent to increase spending on one program, especially when demand for other programs that support the same people is increasing beyond our current budget," the statement reads.
Residents pushed back, projecting 'The Grinch Who Stole SNAP' onto the mayor's building and appearing at the District's New Year’s Day Fresh Start 5K. Activists with DC Action protested the mayor and her refusal to fund the program chanting, “How many kids did you starve today?”
Then, on January 2, DC Council began considering suing Mayor Bowser over her refusal to fund the program. DC Council hasn't sued a mayor since 2014 when voters and the council approved budget autonomy, but then-Mayor Vince Gray opposed it.
One day after the reports about the DC Council's possible lawsuit, DC DHS Director Laura Zeilinger released a statement saying the agency will move forward with funding the program.
"DHS will move forward with the implementation of the temporary local SNAP increase funded in “Give SNAP a Raise," the statement reads. "Due to major budget shortfalls and workload pressures, in November I advised the Mayor that it is in best interest of residents to prioritize sustaining vital human services programs, over administering a new temporary local SNAP supplement. While fiscal and administrative pressures still exist, this evening I advised the Mayor that DHS will make this program work while we attempt to solve ongoing challenges."
Legal Aid DC, a group also threatening to sue Bowser, called the announcement a critical win.
"For our clients, this issue isn't about politics -- it's about being able to afford groceries for themselves and their kids. We're grateful to our clients who were prepared to go to court tomorrow to protect the rights of their neighbors," Legal Aid DC said in a statement Wednesday night. "When the council passes a law, and the mayor signs it, the administration is obligated to follow that law. There are no expectations for laws that help people experiencing poverty. In this case, the law is clear: D.C. must implement the increased SNAP benefit in full."
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