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Capitol View®
Brett Neely

In some states, federal heat aid may insulate poor from food stamp cuts

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When Congress scaled back food stamp aid last year as part of the new federal farm bill, some lawmakers warned thousands of low-income Americans would see their meager food benefits shrink.

Sixteen states are trying to ease that pain by taking advantage of a big increase offered in federal heating help. The thinking is that many people eligible for food stamps also likely qualify for government-subsidized heating assistance.

At least six states, including New York and Montana, plan to give out more heat aid in response to the food stamp cuts, an effort nicknamed “heat and eat.” Critics accuse the states of “mining” the U.S. Treasury. (Minnesota is not part of the “heat and eat” effort.)

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