Montana Residents React to Potential SNAP Benefits Change

Last week, we shared a story with you about a potential change coming to SNAP benefits. Governor Gianforte shared some changes could be coming to the program in the form of restricting junk food and candy from being purchases with SNAP.

"For too long, leaders in Washington have ignored the root causes of chronic disease that affect the lives of Americans across our country," Governor Gianforte said in the release, "Thanks to the strong leadership of President Donald J. Trump, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, and Secretary Rollins, we are taking bold steps to Make America Healthy Again."

"Montana is proud to join them in the effort to prioritize access to nutrient-rich foods to help improve health outcomes."

Montanans React to Potential SNAP Change

It didn't take long for the responses to come in once this story got posted to our Facebook and sites. Based on what I witnessed in the Facebook comments and my email inbox, the majority of messages I received showed support for this potential change.

Don't get me wrong, we got a response or two from folks who were against the potential change. I received a detailed email from a person named K Seymour who shared their story.

ALSO READ: Governor Gianforte Presents Potential Big Change to SNAP Benefits

"I have been working on an initiative that would allow a percentage of SNAP for birthday ECT," they said in the email, "Up until two yrs ago I was a 40-70+ hr worker supporting my family."

"There we're birthdays I had no time to prepare a cake and picking one up meant their birthday would be complete while I work."

What Do You Think of the Potential SNAP Change?

K Seymour went on to share her specific frustrations with people complaining about hardworking people using SNAP as a way to purchase small treats... a situation many find themselves in these days.

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"I have relied on Medicaid and SNAP to supplement what I cannot [buy] and listening to other's complaining about low income using and abusing, needing to get a job, all while my bunions are sore from the short 6 hours I've been on them with 4-6 more to go," K Seymour shared in her email to us. "I have seen other SNAP recipients spend $300 in Mountain Dew while spilling out of an electric cart."

What's the rest of Montana saying? Here are some of the comments and emails we received.