The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a US federal aid program annually serving 40 million persons with well-established health, nutrition, and financial benefits.¹ Families are eligible for SNAP benefits under federal rules if they have minimal assets and net incomes below the federal poverty level. Families are also required to have gross incomes below 130% of the federal poverty level; however, this requirement is waived for seniors and persons with disabilities.^2,3 In 42 jurisdictions, categorical eligibility programs extend SNAP supports to otherwise ineligible families who receive benefits under certain social assistance programs, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.^2,3 Recently, policy makers have attempted to limit SNAP eligibility and benefits. In July 2019, the US Department of Agriculture proposed new rules limiting qualifications for categorical eligibility.² Under the proposed rules, 1 in 10 US families currently participating in SNAP may experience discontinuation of benefits, raising concerns for adverse effects on health and the ability to pay for health care.^2-4 We therefore sought to compare the health, nutritional, and financial vulnerabilities of families at risk for losing SNAP benefits with those of families meeting federal eligibility standards.

补充营养援助计划 (SNAP) 是一项美国联邦援助计划，每年为 4000 万人提供完善的健康、营养和经济福利。¹如果家庭的最低资产和净收入低于联邦贫困线，则他们有资格根据联邦规定获得 SNAP 福利。家庭的总收入也必须低于联邦贫困线的 130%；但是，老年人和残疾人可免除此要求。^2,3在42个司法管辖区，分类资格计划将 SNAP 支持扩展到其他不合格的家庭，这些家庭根据某些社会援助计划（例如贫困家庭临时援助）获得福利。^{2 ,3}最近，政策制定者试图限制 SNAP 的资格和福利。2019 年 7 月，美国农业部提出了限制分类资格的新规则。²根据拟议的规则，目前参与 SNAP 的美国家庭中有十分之一可能会中止福利，这引发了人们对健康和支付医疗保健能力的不利影响的担忧。^{2 -4}因此，我们试图比较面临失去 SNAP 福利风险的家庭与符合联邦资格标准的家庭的健康、营养和财务脆弱性。