Washington, D.C. – States are overwhelmed with the number of SNAP applications. Inflation, economic downturn, and natural disasters, can cause an influx of applications when families are struggling to stretch their grocery budget. The number of employees hired to process applications may be insufficient to deal with a large increase in applications. H.R. 5094, The SNAP Staffing Flexibility Act of 2023, introduced by Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) and Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05), gives states the option to hire outside contractors during these periods to alleviate the workload of their employees and ends the contract when the backlog had been cleared.

“When people apply for SNAP benefits, it is because they are already struggling,” said Bacon. “Ensuring that their applications are processed in a timely manner is important to getting people the assistance they need. In economically challenging times, giving the states, who are closer to the problem, more autonomy will result in better outcomes for applicants.”

“During my Farm Bill listening sessions, Oregonians have made it clear that SNAP improvements are necessary to ensure those who rely on the program most are able to access and receive the support they need in a timely manner. That’s why I’m proud to join Congressman Bacon to introduce the SNAP Staffing Flexibility Act, which would help reduce the backlog of SNAP applications and put food on the table for families in need,” said Chavez-DeRemer.

Other programs such as the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and other safety net programs successfully utilize contractors to address backlogs, and H.R. 5094 would allow SNAP the same flexibility. Modernizing these programs will give states more control over their administrative process in a way that is not threatening the jobs of their current employees. These changes will lead to faster processing times, which means that families will get the assistance they need sooner.