There are several very disturbing bills pending at the General Assembly that would limit/cut TANF and SNAP (food stamps) benefits.

The good news is VPLC has already killed several SNAP bills that would have prohibited waivers of SNAP work requirements in areas of high unemployment/few jobs.

The bad news is we are still facing TANF drug screening/testing, photos on SNAP EBT cards, and our BIGGEST concern at the moment is HB 2213 (O’Bannon) which would slash the TANF-VIEW  time limits from a lifetime limit of 60 months, to a lifetime limit of only 24 months.

Instead of the current 24 months allowed for consecutive benefits, the bill would limit consecutive months to only 12 months.  The bill and impact statement can be viewed here.

HB2213 is very harmful to our clients who must participate in the VIEW work program.  It undermines opportunities to gain work skills/training and cuts cash assistance that (while meager) is essential to these families.

The bill has already been approved by a subcommittee and will be heard by the full Health Welfare and Institutions Committee tomorrow – January 31st.  If any of the following delegates represent you, PLEASE call their office today to OPPOSE HB 2213.

• Bobby Orrock – Caroline, Spotsylvania – 804-698 1054 delborrock@house.virginia.gov
• John O’Bannon – Henrico – 804-698 1073 deljobannon@house.virginia.gov
• Robert Bell – Greene, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Rockingham – 804 698 1058 delrbell@house.virginia.gov
• Chris Peace – New Kent, Hanover, King William – 804-698 1097  delcpeace@house.virginia.gov
• Brenda Pogge – James City, York  804-698 1096  delbpogge@house.virginia.gov
• Dickie Bell –Highland, Staunton, Waynesboro, Augusta, Nelson – 804-698 1020  deldbell@house.virginia.gov
• Scott Garrett – Amherst, Bedford, Lynchburg  804 698 1023  delsgarrett@house.virginia.gov
• Chris Stolle – Norfolk, Va. Beach – 804-698 1083  delcstolle@house.virginia.gov
• Roxann Robinson – Chesterfield – 804 698 1027  delrrobinson@house.virginia.gov
• Gordon Helsel – Poquoson, York, Hampton  804-698 1091  delghelsel@house.virginia.gov
• Joseph Yost – Giles, Radford, Montgomery, Pulaski  804-698 1012  deljyost@house.virginia.gov
• Keith Hodges – Essex, Gloucester, King & Queen, Mathews, Middlesex  804 698 1098  delkhodges@house.virginia.gov
• James Edmunds- Charlotte, Halifax, Prince Edward, Campbell  804-698 1060  deljedmunds@house.virginia.gov
• Chris Head – Botetourt, Roanoke County, Roanoke City  804-698 1017  delchead@house.virginia.gov
• Peter Farrell – Louisa, Goochland, Henrico, Spotsylvania  804 698 1056  delpfarrell@house.virginia.gov

If you have any questions, please contact Jill Hanken (jill@vplc.org) or Regenea Hurte (regenea@vplc.org).

Here is the fact sheet for your reference.  Thanks in advance for your advocacy on behalf of our lower-income neighbors.