I am circulating a draft BSA amendment from Councilmember Lewis George, even though this amendment will not be moved today.

 

The purpose of the amendment is to fund a temporary increase in food assistance benefits from January 1, 2024, through the remainder of FY 2024 (September 30, 2024), as envisioned by the Give SNAP a Raise Amendment Act of 2022 (D.C. Law 24-301). These additional, locally funded benefits—equal to 10% of the household’s federal maximum benefit—would be supported with approximately $39,613,000 in one-time funds. The amendment’s rationale provides additional explanation, and our team is happy to discuss further.

 

We aren’t moving this amendment today to allow time for further discussion with OCFO regarding the proposed funding source. In addition, the Department of Human Services has communicated some implementation concerns that deserve consideration, even though DHS acted with impressive speed to implement a temporary increase in federal SNAP assistance from March 2020 to March 2023.

 

In consultation with the Council Budget Office, we anticipate moving the substance of this draft amendment, as it might be revised, in two separate budget and legislative parts. We plan to propose the legislative part as an amendment to the FY23 Supplemental.

 

Will

 

Will Singer (he/him)

Senior Legislative Advisor

Office of Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, Ward 4

Council of the District of Columbia