SNAP reductions could have severe health consequences for some

STATEWIDE, Colo. (KJCT) - Heather Bovat, along with 290 thousand households across Colorado, will see a significant reduction in SNAP benefits starting in March. The federal government is cutting back on extra money budgeted during the pandemic.

Bovat has congestive heart failure. She has to follow a special diet, but she says the cut will get in the way of getting the nutrients she needs. “I was told I will be getting $67 a month, and what I was getting was $281.”

She relies on social security and SNAP benefits. Currently, that comes out to about $1000 a month. “I think they need to reassess what they’re actually paying now because there isn’t enough to get by.”

“It means I’m going to either fade away sooner as it is my life expectancy isn’t that long, and it also means that without food, what are the chances that I just end up in the hospital,” said Bovat.

But for now, she’s afraid of what happens next. “People are going to fall off the back of the wagon here and hit the pavement next month,” said Bovat.

Copyright 2023 KJCT. All rights reserved.