About the Bill

HB1915 | Rep. Jon S. Eubanks and Sen. Jonathan Dismang | House Committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor 
This bill would make it easier for low-income families to become eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It would require the Department of Human Services (DHS) to apply for a waiver to increase the state’s asset limit to $6,000 and index it to inflation.

AACF Testimony on April 8, House Committee on Public Health, Welfare and Labor

Christin Harper, Policy Director, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families
Good morning, Mr. Chair and members of the committee. My name is Christin Harper, and I work for Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. Our mission is to ensure that all children and families have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive, so that is why I’m asking you to vote for HB1915. This bill will allow the state to provide critical access to food for low-income families by requesting a waiver to increase the state’s asset limit to $6,000 and, importantly, index that asset limit to inflation.

Arkansas has one of the highest food insecurity rates at 18.9% in 2023, compared to 13.5% nationally. Even more distressing is that food insecurity among children is even higher. For 2023, Feeding America reported that 25% of children in Arkansas were food insecure. Food insecurity and hunger have significant, cumulative and long-lasting consequences on children and families.

Arkansas is one of only 13 states that continues to have an asset limit, meaning a limit on how much money a family can have in their bank account, the value of an additional vehicle, etc., and still have access to SNAP. Most states have chosen to eliminate the asset limit, but Arkansas currently maintains the lowest asset limit possible.

Most financial advisors recommend keeping three to six months of expenses in savings. Yet, Arkansas currently maintains the strictest asset limit at $3,000 ($4,500 for individuals with disabilities and those 60 or older). For most families, that is not enough for even one month of expenses. Increasing the SNAP asset limit to $6,000 will help decrease hunger for children and families while also allowing families to save for emergencies and otherwise do just what we want families who need this temporary safety net to do — achieve the economic security needed to eventually transition off benefits and be less likely to fall back into poverty.

HB1915 will help reduce hunger in our state while also allowing families to build self-sufficiency. Please vote yes for HB1915. Thank you.