Student and legal advocacy groups are pushing for a significant change in how the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) operates. They are appealing to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to abolish the interview requirement for SNAP applicants, arguing that this step is a hindrance to those in need of food aid. The call for change is backed by organizations like the National Student Legal Defense Network, the Center for Law and Social Policy, and the California Student Aid Commission. The Department of Agriculture has acknowledged the proposal and is currently reviewing it.

SNAP serves as a vital lifeline for low-income families, enabling them to afford groceries and essential food items. The program currently benefits approximately 42 million Americans, providing an average of $212 per person or $401 per household each month. However, the existing process demands that state agencies conduct an initial certification interview with applicants within 30 days of their application, a step that can either be done over the phone or in person. This requirement has proven to be a barrier for many, including students like 24-year-old West Los Angeles College attendee Aviana Kimani, who cited the challenge of scheduling and attending these interviews as a significant reason for discontinuing her participation in the program.

The groups advocating for the removal of the interview requirement highlight that this step is not mandated by federal law and label it as an unnecessary bureaucratic obstacle. Their petition comes in light of findings from a 2021 review in California, which showed a high percentage of SNAP applicants in Los Angeles County were denied access to the program due to missed interviews, rather than ineligibility. This issue was particularly pronounced among working families and college applicants.

The USDA has reported a participation rate of 78% among those eligible for SNAP from October 2019 to February 2020, the most recent pre-pandemic period for which data is available. The pandemic saw a temporary easing of requirements, including the interview mandate, a move that advocacy groups argue should be made permanent based on its success in maintaining access to food aid during a critical time. The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities has noted that while interviews can facilitate the accurate gathering of information and assist applicants with their queries, they also pose a significant administrative burden and can delay the approval process.

The push to eliminate the interview requirement is seen as a step towards streamlining access to SNAP and ensuring that more eligible individuals can benefit from the program without unnecessary delays or complications. Advocates argue that the experience during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the feasibility and benefits of such a policy change, calling on the USDA to make these adjustments permanent for the betterment of SNAP participants nationwide.