Omaha City Wire

States face challenges with the processing of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applications during periods of economic stress and natural disasters. The increased volume of applications often leads to backlogs due to insufficient staffing, delaying essential benefits for applicants.

In response, Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) and Rep. David Rouzer (NC-07) recently introduced the SNAP Staffing Flexibility Act of 2025. This proposed legislation would allow states to contract external assistance during peak demand periods, helping to manage large inflows of applications. The contracted support would be discontinued once the backlog is effectively managed.

"When people apply for SNAP Benefits, it is because they are already struggling," said Rep. Bacon. "I want to make sure states can process applications quickly so people can get the assistance they need. In economically challenging times, when state agencies are overwhelmed by applications, the use of outside contractors will speed up the delivery time of benefits."

The initiative is modeled after the approach already in use by the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and other safety net programs, which have addressed backlogs using contractors. This bill aims to provide similar flexibility for SNAP without jeopardizing the positions of existing state employees. By introducing this flexibility, the bill hopes to reduce processing times and improve the timely delivery of benefits to families in need.