Advocates urge full funding for SNAP administration and benefit assisters as enrollment falls

Advocates from Hunger Free Vermont and other groups told the House Human Services committee that changes at the federal level (HR1) and recent enrollment declines have increased state administrative burdens for 3 Squares Vermont (SNAP). "3 Squares Vermont supports nearly 10% of Vermonters," Ivy Eday said, adding that "more than $12,000,000 are issued to 3 Squares Vermont households every single month." Eday and other witnesses urged the committee to fully fund SFY27 SNAP administrative costs and to appropriate $4.95 million for benefit assisters who help people apply and stay enrolled.

Witnesses described a steep enrollment drop of about 4,000 people in the last year and argued that well‑trained local benefit assisters reduce application errors and administrative churn. A SNAP recipient who testified described repeated paperwork errors, long waits and local office visits to correct problems, and asked the committee to ensure assisters are funded and trained so residents can rely on accurate help.

Agency staff told the committee SNAP administrative projections used FY25 actuals and a cost‑allocation approach to estimate how much state general fund support will be needed going forward. Staff also described SNAP outreach partnerships with groups such as Hunger Free Vermont and community action agencies, and said state and partner outreach remain central to maintaining enrollment.

What happens next: the committee asked for continued monitoring of enrollment trends, additional details on proposed administrative funding, and the agency said it will continue collaborating with benefit assisters and outreach partners.