Mid-MN Legal Aid client shares story in lawsuit demanding SNAP benefits be restored
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (Minneapolis, Minn.) – Stephanie Stuart of Wright County rations her food to one meal a day so her three children can eat. She could easily be your neighbor and you wouldn’t know this about her. But now everyone will know because Stephanie, a client of Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, is sharing her story in a class action lawsuit filed this week by the Western Center on Law & Poverty and the Impact Fund.
“We supported this lawsuit because it is unprecedented in American history that food benefits have been discontinued. During previous shutdowns, SNAP benefits continued to go out to recipients, recognizing everyone’s basic human right to food.”
–Executive Director, Milo Mumgaard
“Our client Stephanie also volunteers at her local food shelf and tells us she saw the average number of folks showing up has tripled from 7-10 to 25-30. She has also observed a nearby center providing drive-thru donations with a line backed up three blocks when, at any other time, visitors could easily drive into the parking lot without any line at all.”
–Public Benefits Attorney, Colin Colby
Two federal judges have already ordered the government to use contingency funds to pay food benefits. Those orders stem from the legal efforts of nonprofit justice organizations, faith-based organizations, and states, including Minnesota, thanks to the efforts of Attorney General Keith Ellison.
At a hearing scheduled for Nov. 10, a judge will decide whether the government must go further and ensure that all food benefits are available to families, no matter how long the shutdown lasts.
While federal officials say they are doing what they can to follow the judges’ orders, we still don’t know whether or when the contingency funds will be available and in what limited amounts. Legal Aid will continue to monitor developments and consider all options that may be needed to assist our clients.
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Media contact:
Lisa Ramirez | Lramirez@mylegalaid.org
Communications Director
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
612.746.3641
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