When Dr. Sarita Cargas began studying basic needs insecurity at the University of New Mexico (UNM), she asked students to share stories about times they could not do their work because they were hungry.
Dr. Sarita Cargas, associate professor of human rights at the University of New Mexico Honors College.
Students experiencing basic needs insecurity are struggling to access reliable housing, nutritious food, or both. Food-insecure students are more likely to fail or drop out of education, according to another 2021 UNM study.
Although New Mexico is one of the poorest states in the nation, Cargas said her findings still surprised her. Just over 25% of UNM students experienced food insecurity and 42% of UNM undergraduate students experienced some kind of basic needs insecurity in 2020 and 2021.
One resource that could help keep food insecure students on track to graduation is the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which offers a maximum of $281 each month for single-person households to go towards the cost of food. A new report from The Hope Center for College, Community and Justice at Temple University calls attention to the number of eligible students who do not take advantage of SNAP benefits and how states and institutions can connect more students with life-changing support, including taking advantage of COVID-19 related public health emergency exemptions to SNAP requirements.
Eligibility for SNAP depends on each state’s requirements. Nineteen states and D.C. set max income eligibility at 200% of the federal poverty level, while other states set the limit lower. Students who attend school at least half-time must usually meet certain conditions to qualify, like working at least 20 hours per week.
The public health emergency exemption has changed that requirement—through spring 2023, students with $0 in expected financial contribution, or those who are eligible for federal or state work-study, do not have to meet the 20-hour a week work requirement for SNAP.
