Here are the statements of Resident Commissioner Jenniffer Gonzalez
- Redacción elvocero.com / 18/05/2021 Updated May 18, 2021 https://www.elvocero.com/gobierno/defiende-mayor-ayuda-del-pan-para-puerto-rico/article_7737f012-b7f4-11eb-84e8-2f583050f58b.html
The resident commissioner in Washington, Jenniffer González Colón, advocated changing the food assistance program for Puerto Rico, the PAN, to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) so that the needs of more than 1.5 million residents on the island who depend on this federal aid are properly addressed.
She made the claim during the hearing for Members of Congress by the House Agriculture Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. The commissioner indicated that she is working on this initiative together with the government of Puerto Rico and the federal Department of Agriculture.
Below are his statements during the hearing:
"Thank you, Chairman Scott and Republican Leader Thompson for the opportunity to participate in the hearing for members of Congress today.
As you know, Puerto Rico does not participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) like its counterparts in the States, DC, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Instead, it has the Nutrition Assistance Program, or NAP, which is a capped block grant that is generally funded at more than $1.9 billion each year and currently serves more than 1.5 million Island residents.
PAN is one of the main assistance programs for the Island's needy residents. Like SNAP, PAN provides a monthly allowance intended to support a healthy and balanced diet. However, due to limited funding, PAN cannot automatically adjust to fluctuations in demand, including those related to emergencies, and provides fewer benefits to eligible participants.
After Hurricane Maria in 2017, the demand for NAP participation increased significantly. We noticed a similar pattern with the earthquakes that began in late 2018 and now with the covid-19 pandemic. It has become clear that the NAP is one of the first programs my constituents turn to after an emergency or crisis. Even so, the program cannot automatically adapt to surges in demand and, as a result, we have had to turn to Congress on multiple occasions to secure emergency NAP funding.
In addition, the base block grant leaves my constituents with fewer benefits each month. For example, a one-person household enrolled in PAN receives a maximum of $112, compared to a maximum monthly allowance of $234 under SNAP. Similarly, a two-person household under PAN receives $216, compared to a maximum monthly allowance of $430 under SNAP.
While I appreciate the support of my colleagues in ensuring that Puerto Rico has sufficient SNAP funds to cover benefits during periods of emergency, true relief and appropriate assistance can only be achieved with a transition to SNAP. This is my goal, and my office is working closely with the Government of Puerto Rico and the federal Department of Agriculture to understand the implications of this transition and to design an appropriate plan for Puerto Rico to successfully operate SNAP. As such, I respectfully ask that you continue to work with my office as we develop a path toward a viable transition to SNAP.
Finally, I would like to convey my full support for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, which supports nearly 100,000 citizens in Puerto Rico. I am one of the original co-sponsors of H.R.2011, known as the WIC Act, which would expand eligibility and address specific gaps in nutritional assistance for postpartum mothers and young children. Thank you."