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Field Reports

Dispelling Myths, Increasing Access: Examining Common Fears and Barriers Experienced by Spanish-Speaking Immigrants Applying for SNAP Benefits in Maryland

Isabella Dresser, Emerson Fellow

Maryam Taysir, Emerson Fellow

Maryland Hunger Solutions,
Published 2022-2023

Baltimore, Maryland

Maryland is home to an incredibly vast and diverse population of foreign-born folks and first-generation Americans. Fifteen percent of the state’s population are immigrants, almost a third are undocumented, and one in eight children in Maryland have a parent who is undocumented. SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is a federal program that denies most immigrants from receiving benefits. However, undocumented heads of a household can apply on behalf of eligible members, oftentimes for their children and/or adult dependents. Maryland Hunger Solutions (MDHS), a state-wide anti-hunger organization, provides SNAP application assistance via a hotline and Outreach Team of caseworkers. This report aims to provide an overview of the legal history of SNAP advocacy for immigrant households in Maryland. Secondly, this report will uncover the complicated journey to acquire SNAP benefits for immigrant households via a client survey and deep-dive interview with SNAP Outreach Coordinators at MDHS. The findings from the literature review, responses from the client survey, and the interview of MDHS staff, produced a SNAP Application Toolkit. The Toolkit is designed to provide transparency of the application process for Spanish-Speaking immigrant households.

Download "Dispelling Myths, Increasing Access: Examining Common Fears and Barriers Experienced by Spanish-Speaking Immigrants Applying for SNAP Benefits in Maryland"

Publication tags: Field Reports - Domestic Federal Nutrition Programs, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamps

Dresser headshot

Isabella Dresser

Emerson Fellow

Taysir headshot

Maryam Taysir

Emerson Fellow

 headshot

Maryland Hunger Solutions

Baltimore, Maryland