Rep. Nydia Velázquez and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced her push for $1 billion in critical supplemental nutrition assistance for Puerto Rico in the final FY22 appropriations package. Following Hurricanes Irma and Maria, Puerto Rico has experienced high unemployment and, combined with the impact of COVID-19, individuals and families faced heightened levels of food insecurity. While Americans living in Puerto Rico have access to the Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP), they do not have access to the same federal assistance to combat food insecurity that is available to individuals in the continental United States, further exacerbating a hunger crisis compounded by the economic crisis, hurricane devastation, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Gillibrand previously helped pass funds in the American Rescue Plan (ARP) that allowed Puerto Rico to supplement the Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) block grant funding, but the additional funding that was granted through ARP will be expended by June 2022. This additional $1 billion in NAP funding would target the long-term recovery needed for communities in Puerto Rico by making funds available through September 30, 2023.
“Over the past few years, Puerto Ricans have been hit with one life-altering crisis after another from deadly hurricanes to the health and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Representative Velázquez. “This reality makes it even more indefensible that they continue to be excluded from receiving SNAP benefits. In light of this, we must do everything possible to ensure funds for nutritional assistance on the island are robust and sufficient to meet the urgent and sweeping need. That’s why as Congress begins its annual appropriations season, Senator Gillibrand and I are requesting $1 billion in supplemental nutritional assistance for Puerto Rico. We cannot turn our backs on those in need.”
“Far too many of our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico are facing hunger due to the pandemic’s devastating impact on supply chains and Puerto Rico’s economy. To meet the moment, we must allocate meaningful federal relief for families struggling to keep themselves healthy and fed,” said Senator Gillibrand. “That’s why I am fighting alongside Congresswoman Velázquez to secure $1 billion in supplemental funding to help ensure that Puerto Rico has the long-term resources needed to tackle food insecurity across the Island. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to deliver critical food assistance for our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico.”
“We are greatly appreciative to the members of Congress for advocating for an addition $1 billion in nutritional aid for Puerto Rico to address the underlying and systemic benefits disparity between the island, the states and other territories. It is unacceptable to keep Puerto Rico from transitioning into SNAP and to continue to discriminate against Americans living on the island by perpetuating a three tier system of nutrition aid.” said Lillian Rodriguez Lopez, Coalition for Food Security Puerto Rico.
The current poverty rate in Puerto Rico is 43.5%, and even before the pandemic, 50% of families with children earning $15,000 or less reported challenges accessing food. According to the Kids Count Puerto Rico Profile, almost 6 out of every 10 children in Puerto Rico live in poverty. As a result of the pandemic, roughly 250,000 more people have enrolled in the federal Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP), exacerbating demands on the capped block grant and limited nutrition funding provided in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and CARES Act.
Currently, Puerto Rico residents do not have access to SNAP benefits. In March 2021, Gillibrand also helped push for an additional $966M in nutrition aid to Puerto Rico in the American Rescue Plan. Gillibrand also helped secure the inclusion of $614 million in the FY 21 government spending package, which provided increased food aid to Puerto Rico, Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.
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