I’m 28 years old and rent a room in a shared apartment. Rent has been climbing nonstop, and every month nearly half of my paycheck goes to the landlord. SNAP is what helps me stretch the rest of my budget when it comes to food. But here’s the issue: SNAP’s eligibility rules are strict. If my income goes just a little over the limit, I lose the benefit. Sometimes when I pick up extra shifts, I end up making “too much,” and SNAP is taken away. Rent hikes aren’t counted in the formula, but they drain my wallet just the same. So I’m caught in a frustrating tradeoff: either I work fewer hours to keep SNAP, or I take extra shifts and lose the support. Shouldn’t the program be more flexible, taking into account the rising cost of living? With rent as high as it is, these rigid thresholds feel out of touch with reality. #SNAPVoices #SNAPLife