Bill Overview
Title: Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act of 2022
Description: of 2022 This bill sets out a process to enable Puerto Rico to participate as a state in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Under current law, a state receives SNAP funding based on the number of participating households in the state whereas Puerto Rico receives a block grant to fund its nutrition assistance program. The bill requires Puerto Rico to submit to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) a plan of operation to transition away from the consolidated block grant program to SNAP. USDA must provide appropriate training and technical assistance to enable Puerto Rico to formulate such plan.
Sponsors: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Target Audience
Population: residents of Puerto Rico
Estimated Size: 3200000
- Puerto Rico has a population of about 3.2 million people.
- Currently, Puerto Rico uses a block grant for nutrition assistance, limiting flexibility based on need.
- Transitioning to SNAP would allow Puerto Rican residents the same benefits and responsiveness to economic changes as US states' residents.
- Participation in SNAP could enhance food security by adjusting funding based on the number of eligible residents.
Reasoning
- Puerto Rico's transition to SNAP could have varying impacts across its population based on social-economic factors. Residents in poverty or experiencing food insecurity are likely to see improvement in wellbeing due to increased access to nutritional resources.
- Mainland US citizens are unlikely to be directly impacted by this policy change since it targets Puerto Rican residents.
- Over time, Puerto Ricans could experience increased food security, improving their quality of life and potentially reducing healthcare costs associated with malnutrition.
- The policy's impact on local Puerto Rican grocery retailers could be positive due to increased purchasing power from SNAP benefits.
- Population groups unrelated to Puerto Rico, such as individuals living on the mainland or Alaska and Hawaii, would likely see little to no direct effect.
Simulated Interviews
teacher (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope the new policy means more consistent help for buying groceries.
- Sometimes the money we get isn't enough to cover the rising price of food.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
small business owner (Ponce, Puerto Rico)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think more people will come to my store since they might have more to spend.
- I'm worried about the transition period, how smooth it will be.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
retired (Mayagüez, Puerto Rico)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This change might help me get more support if prices go up.
- I've lived through many changes, hoping this one will be for the better.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
civil engineer (New York City, New York)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's about time Puerto Rico gets equal treatment.
- I'm not directly affected, but I support the policy if it helps my family back home.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
student (Arecibo, Puerto Rico)
Age: 18 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If my family has more stability, maybe I can focus better on studies.
- I hope my parents get extra help they need.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
IT consultant (Miami, Florida)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad to see Puerto Rico moving towards parity with the states.
- This policy doesn't affect me directly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
nurse (Caguas, Puerto Rico)
Age: 32 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might indirectly reduce health problems related to poor diet.
- Better food access is critical especially for vulnerable patients.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
retired teacher (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Transitioning to SNAP feels like a long overdue improvement.
- Eager to see how the community benefits from better food security.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
financial analyst (Orlando, Florida)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Interested in monitoring the economic impacts of this policy transformation.
- I support extra measures assisting Puerto Rico.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
social worker (Bayamón, Puerto Rico)
Age: 53 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Expecting more resources to support clients as this policy rolls out.
- Hopeful for long-term improvement in food security.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2000000000 (Low: $1800000000, High: $2200000000)
Year 2: $2100000000 (Low: $1900000000, High: $2300000000)
Year 3: $2200000000 (Low: $2000000000, High: $2400000000)
Year 5: $2400000000 (Low: $2200000000, High: $2600000000)
Year 10: $2800000000 (Low: $2500000000, High: $3100000000)
Year 100: $7200000000 (Low: $6500000000, High: $8000000000)
Key Considerations
- Initial costs for transitioning Puerto Rico from a block grant system to SNAP may be significant.
- Estimates include increased long-term funding compared to the existing block grant, potentially tripling federal food assistance to Puerto Rico.
- Implementation involves training and infrastructure adjustments, which USDA must support.
- Impact on food security in the region could be positive, increasing resilience against economic downturns.