SNAP

Hundreds of thousands of Kentucky children in low-income households will be getting extra federal food assistance through the start of the school year, something that anti-hunger advocates say is crucial given higher rates of food insecurity seen in the state over the summer.

Those on the front lines of food pantries and food banks in the Ohio Valley are trying to meet the ballooning demand, though they expect to see more hunger and need in the months ahead.

The Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) is a conservative think tank based in Naples, Florida that doesn’t disclose its donors and has a history of pushing what many experts have called “junk social science.” Its four main areas of focus are election integrity and welfare, health care and workforce reforms.

Kentuckians who receive public benefits will have to do more to stay in the programs, under a bill that passed out of the legislature.

Kentucky Republicans passed a bill out of a committee Monday that would put tighter rules on public assistance despite strong concerns from various advocacy groups and organizations that it would strip many low-income Kentuckians of needed assistance with food and healthcare.

Republican lawmakers rushed a bill through the Kentucky House of Representatives Thursday adding work requirements for some Medicaid recipients and charging state officials with investigating food benefit use, among other proposed changes to public assistance.

A GOP-sponsored bill implementing several tighter rules for various types of public assistance, including food stamps and Medicaid, is set to be heard Thursday in the Kentucky House of Representatives Health and Family Services committee. State officials and some advocates worry the legislation could harm many low-income Kentuckians receiving assistance with food, healthcare and more.

Gov. Andy Beshear has vetoed a measure to end the coronavirus-related state of emergency, saying it would take away emergency food benefits.

The senators are introducing a bill that would make pandemic-related food benefits for college students permanent and create grants for colleges to address hunger.

This article is part of a special series produced by Murray State University students participating in an investigative reporting fellowship partnership…