Agenda Text
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Calling on Governor Baker to implement a streamlined process for MassHealth applicants to simultaneously file for SNAP benefits.
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Official Text
A RESOLUTION URGING THE BAKER ADMINISTRATION TO EXPAND ACCESS TO NUTRITION ASSISTANCE BY CLOSING THE SNAP GAP
WHEREAS: Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 11.6% percent of Somerville residents were food insecure, with higher rates of food insecurity among Somerville Black, Hispanic and Latinx households, households with children and youth, and residents of the Winter Hill and East Somerville neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated food insecurity and other financial hardships, sharply increasing the unemployment rate in Somerville from 1.9% in February 2020 to 13.8% in June 2020, increasing SNAP enrollment in Somerville by 17% in 2020 with the highest increase in the 02145 zip code, and raising the rate of food insecurity in Eastern Massachusetts from 1 in 13 people to 1 in 8 people, with food insecurity increased most dramatically among Black, Hispanic and Latinx households with children and among residents who speak English as a second language, compounding pre-existing racial injustices; and
WHEREAS: Research has consistently found negative associations between food insecurity and physical health and mental health, including increased risk of hypertension, asthma, diabetes, coronary heart disease, other chronic diet-related conditions, and chronic exacerbating stress that disproportionately affect Black, Latinx and other residents of color and that worsen morbidity and mortality from COVID-19; and
WHEREAS: The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the nation’s most effective anti-hunger program, promoting the long-term health and wellbeing of participants, as it is designed to respond quickly and effectively to economic downturns and is more cost-effective than emergency feeding programs, providing five meals for every meal provided by the Greater Boston Food Bank, and it provides significant economic stimulus to local communities and preserves participants’ dignity and autonomy by enabling them to purchase culturally appropriate foods at times and locations that are convenient to them; and
WHEREAS: According to state data, as of December 2019, more than 8,500 Somerville residents who participate in MassHealth are likely eligible for SNAP but do not receive SNAP benefits, creating a 61% SNAP Gap, which is higher than the statewide SNAP gap of 47%; and
WHEREAS: The significant under-utilization of SNAP puts additional pressure on the emergency food distribution network, including the Greater Boston Food Bank and its community partners such as Project SOUP and other Somerville food pantries, which are continuing to experience a shortfall in volunteers and a shortage of available food supplies; and
WHEREAS: The Massachusetts State Legislature passed in Chapter 151 of the Acts of 2020, An Act Financing the General Governmental Infrastructure of the Commonwealth (“IT Bond Bill”), which authorizes the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to spend $5,000,000 on capital costs associated with facilitating the development of a system to allow applicants and recipients of MassHealth and the Medicare savings program, also known as MassHealth buy-in, the option to both a) initiate an application for federal supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits at the time of application or renewal for medical assistance, and b) authorize the office of Medicaid to submit said application to the Department of Transitional Assistance; and
WHEREAS: Creating a common application option for MassHealth and Medicare Savings Program consumers will expedite bringing substantial additional federal SNAP and child nutrition dollars to the Commonwealth, alleviating families’ financial hardships, reducing long-term health care costs, and improving the health and wellbeing of Somerville residents; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the Somerville City Council calls upon Governor Baker, Secretary Sudders, and Assistant Secretary Tsai to take advantage of the authority granted them by the Massachusetts State Legislature in the IT Bond Bill and act immediately to implement a streamlined process for MassHealth applicants to simultaneously file for SNAP benefits, expanding access to nutrition assistance for Somerville residents.