ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP, helps low-income families purchase groceries.

According to the Georgia Department of Human Services, which runs the program, more than 1.5 million Georgians are enrolled.

Looming federal budget cuts could impact the program. The proposed federal spending bill includes over $200 billion in reductions to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) over the next decade.

“We have a responsibility to get our country back on a sound fiscal trajectory,” said U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson. “While ensuring we protect essential programs.”

According to the progressive think tank The Century Foundation, the proposed cuts could slash Georgia households’ average monthly SNAP benefits by as much as $81 a month. Community advocates warn that the consequences could be devastating.

Roger Bruce, board chair of the Fulton Atlanta Community Action Authority and a former Georgia state representative, echoed those concerns.

“People are not going to be able to find alternate resources,” Bruce said. “I believe it’s going to increase the number of people getting sick and dying.”

The possibility of cuts sparked concerns across Georgia, especially in its rural areas where dependency on food assistance is higher.

A report by the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (GPBI) highlights that rural counties have a disproportionately high percentage of SNAP recipients, making those areas particularly vulnerable.

“There aren’t enough resources to fill those gaps. Which means people are going to suffer,” said Staci Fox with the GPBI.

Last month at the Georgia Capitol, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized SNAP’s central role in the agency’s mission.

Rollins also noted that the Biden administration expanded the program by 30 to 40%.

“We are, under this new administration, looking at every line item, every program, to make sure it is reaching its intended goal,” Rollins said.

That goal, Rollins added, is to ensure nutritious meals for all eligible Americans, especially young children.

Congress debates the federal budget and associated appropriations bills, which must be passed by Sept. 31.

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