Ben Chrisinger
@bchrisinger.bsky.social
Assistant Professor in Community Health at Tufts, formerly faculty @ DSPI Oxford. I study place and health, especially food and welfare. #SNAPmatters
https://facultyprofiles.tufts.edu/benjamin-chrisinger
https://facultyprofiles.tufts.edu/benjamin-chrisinger
Pinned
Ben Chrisinger
@bchrisinger.bsky.social
· Sep 10
Keeping SNAP in Line with Global Evidence on Food Security | NEJM
Proposals to introduce nutrition-based restrictions in SNAP ignore a global movement
away from this kind of welfare program administration and toward systems that can
more effectively improve health.
www.nejm.org
#SNAP is already globally unusual as an antipoverty program. Cash-like, just for non-prepared foods, at approved retailers.
Evidence from cash transfer programs suggests there are easier ways to protect #foodsecurity.
🛟 🩺📊 🩺 #econsky #academicsky
Evidence from cash transfer programs suggests there are easier ways to protect #foodsecurity.
🛟 🩺📊 🩺 #econsky #academicsky
Reposted by Ben Chrisinger
ICYMI Dept of Education will no longer considers these professional degrees:
Nursing
Public health
Social work
Physician assistant
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Audiology
Speech-language pathology
Social work
Counseling & therapy
Health Admin
A smaller health workforce makes us all sicker
Nursing
Public health
Social work
Physician assistant
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Audiology
Speech-language pathology
Social work
Counseling & therapy
Health Admin
A smaller health workforce makes us all sicker
November 21, 2025 at 11:14 PM
ICYMI Dept of Education will no longer considers these professional degrees:
Nursing
Public health
Social work
Physician assistant
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Audiology
Speech-language pathology
Social work
Counseling & therapy
Health Admin
A smaller health workforce makes us all sicker
Nursing
Public health
Social work
Physician assistant
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Audiology
Speech-language pathology
Social work
Counseling & therapy
Health Admin
A smaller health workforce makes us all sicker
Reposted by Ben Chrisinger
Twelve states will be adding new food restrictions to SNAP next year. I unpack these policies in some new research in Health Affairs Scholar (open access).
tl;dr - wide range in food definitions, justifications for restriction, and plans to evaluate.
🥗 🛟 📊🩺
tl;dr - wide range in food definitions, justifications for restriction, and plans to evaluate.
🥗 🛟 📊🩺
Characteristics of State Waivers to Establish Nutritional Restrictions in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
AbstractIntroduction. States have previously requested permission from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement food item restrictions within t
doi.org
November 20, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Twelve states will be adding new food restrictions to SNAP next year. I unpack these policies in some new research in Health Affairs Scholar (open access).
tl;dr - wide range in food definitions, justifications for restriction, and plans to evaluate.
🥗 🛟 📊🩺
tl;dr - wide range in food definitions, justifications for restriction, and plans to evaluate.
🥗 🛟 📊🩺
Twelve states will be adding new food restrictions to SNAP next year. I unpack these policies in some new research in Health Affairs Scholar (open access).
tl;dr - wide range in food definitions, justifications for restriction, and plans to evaluate.
🥗 🛟 📊🩺
tl;dr - wide range in food definitions, justifications for restriction, and plans to evaluate.
🥗 🛟 📊🩺
Characteristics of State Waivers to Establish Nutritional Restrictions in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
AbstractIntroduction. States have previously requested permission from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement food item restrictions within t
doi.org
November 20, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Twelve states will be adding new food restrictions to SNAP next year. I unpack these policies in some new research in Health Affairs Scholar (open access).
tl;dr - wide range in food definitions, justifications for restriction, and plans to evaluate.
🥗 🛟 📊🩺
tl;dr - wide range in food definitions, justifications for restriction, and plans to evaluate.
🥗 🛟 📊🩺
This would be incredibly bad
🥗 🛟
🥗 🛟
After enacting the deepest #SNAP cuts in history & needlessly disrupting benefits during the shutdown, the Trump Administration is quietly advancing draft regulations to take SNAP away from millions more people – primarily working families with kids, seniors & disabled people.
November 19, 2025 at 9:30 PM
This would be incredibly bad
🥗 🛟
🥗 🛟
Reading/writing email: boring.
Reading AI-generated email / writing reply I don’t know will be read by a human: MILLION TIMES WORSE.
Reading AI-generated email / writing reply I don’t know will be read by a human: MILLION TIMES WORSE.
November 19, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Reading/writing email: boring.
Reading AI-generated email / writing reply I don’t know will be read by a human: MILLION TIMES WORSE.
Reading AI-generated email / writing reply I don’t know will be read by a human: MILLION TIMES WORSE.
Right, and the writers?
Disney CEO Bob Iger said his company is talking with AI companies about allowing subscribers to create their own short-form videos on Disney+.
Disney eyes a future where users help shape the story
Disney CEO Bob Iger said his company is talking with AI companies about allowing subscribers to create their own short-form videos on Disney+.
n.pr
November 14, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Right, and the writers?
Reposted by Ben Chrisinger
SNAP experts say the exact time people can expect their benefits may vary by state. But they anticipate a fairly quick process, since states and Electronic Benefit Transfer vendors have been preparing for this moment.
SNAP Recipients Could See Benefits Within Days After Government Reopens
The USDA claims SNAP benefits could go out within 24 hours for most states once the shutdown ends.
buff.ly
November 13, 2025 at 4:30 PM
SNAP experts say the exact time people can expect their benefits may vary by state. But they anticipate a fairly quick process, since states and Electronic Benefit Transfer vendors have been preparing for this moment.
Reposted by Ben Chrisinger
WAPO: “.. The Agriculture Department is preparing to fire an employee in the division that handles food benefits after she publicly warned that the shutdown could have negative impacts on the millions of Americans who rely on the federal government ..”
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
November 13, 2025 at 12:33 PM
WAPO: “.. The Agriculture Department is preparing to fire an employee in the division that handles food benefits after she publicly warned that the shutdown could have negative impacts on the millions of Americans who rely on the federal government ..”
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
As a sober person I feel excluded
Eric Trump: "You can send $500 million worth of bitcoin on a Sunday night at 11pm while having a glass of wine with your wife for virtually zero fees."
November 13, 2025 at 1:52 PM
As a sober person I feel excluded
Reposted by Ben Chrisinger
SNAP wonks: help me figure this out!
AL is telling folks reduced SNAP amounts are because of a "change in the Thrifty Food Plan" (see link).
TFP is a GOP target (sets SNAP benefit amts) & "Big Beautiful Bill" limited how often it can be updated...
dhr.alabama.gov/november-sna...
#econsky 🛟 🥗
AL is telling folks reduced SNAP amounts are because of a "change in the Thrifty Food Plan" (see link).
TFP is a GOP target (sets SNAP benefit amts) & "Big Beautiful Bill" limited how often it can be updated...
dhr.alabama.gov/november-sna...
#econsky 🛟 🥗
November 12, 2025 at 10:26 PM
SNAP wonks: help me figure this out!
AL is telling folks reduced SNAP amounts are because of a "change in the Thrifty Food Plan" (see link).
TFP is a GOP target (sets SNAP benefit amts) & "Big Beautiful Bill" limited how often it can be updated...
dhr.alabama.gov/november-sna...
#econsky 🛟 🥗
AL is telling folks reduced SNAP amounts are because of a "change in the Thrifty Food Plan" (see link).
TFP is a GOP target (sets SNAP benefit amts) & "Big Beautiful Bill" limited how often it can be updated...
dhr.alabama.gov/november-sna...
#econsky 🛟 🥗
SNAP wonks: help me figure this out!
AL is telling folks reduced SNAP amounts are because of a "change in the Thrifty Food Plan" (see link).
TFP is a GOP target (sets SNAP benefit amts) & "Big Beautiful Bill" limited how often it can be updated...
dhr.alabama.gov/november-sna...
#econsky 🛟 🥗
AL is telling folks reduced SNAP amounts are because of a "change in the Thrifty Food Plan" (see link).
TFP is a GOP target (sets SNAP benefit amts) & "Big Beautiful Bill" limited how often it can be updated...
dhr.alabama.gov/november-sna...
#econsky 🛟 🥗
November 12, 2025 at 10:26 PM
SNAP wonks: help me figure this out!
AL is telling folks reduced SNAP amounts are because of a "change in the Thrifty Food Plan" (see link).
TFP is a GOP target (sets SNAP benefit amts) & "Big Beautiful Bill" limited how often it can be updated...
dhr.alabama.gov/november-sna...
#econsky 🛟 🥗
AL is telling folks reduced SNAP amounts are because of a "change in the Thrifty Food Plan" (see link).
TFP is a GOP target (sets SNAP benefit amts) & "Big Beautiful Bill" limited how often it can be updated...
dhr.alabama.gov/november-sna...
#econsky 🛟 🥗
Withholding cash assistance from low-income folks is an economic own-goal.
What do these households do with benefits? SPEND THEM.
On goods and services in every county and state across the country.
What do these households do with benefits? SPEND THEM.
On goods and services in every county and state across the country.
Trump is dining with top Wall Street executives at the White House tonight — just months after giving them a huge tax cut in his Big Ugly Bill.
Meanwhile, his regime is continuing to withhold SNAP benefits for millions of hungry Americans.
"New Golden Age."
Meanwhile, his regime is continuing to withhold SNAP benefits for millions of hungry Americans.
"New Golden Age."
November 12, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Withholding cash assistance from low-income folks is an economic own-goal.
What do these households do with benefits? SPEND THEM.
On goods and services in every county and state across the country.
What do these households do with benefits? SPEND THEM.
On goods and services in every county and state across the country.
Reposted by Ben Chrisinger
Thanks to @massgovernor.bsky.social Maura Healey for standing up for Massachusetts residents who rely on SNAP to put food on the table! In a time when many are facing uncertainty and anxiety due to the ongoing chaos surrounding SNAP, her leadership ensures EBT cards are fully funded.
November 12, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Thanks to @massgovernor.bsky.social Maura Healey for standing up for Massachusetts residents who rely on SNAP to put food on the table! In a time when many are facing uncertainty and anxiety due to the ongoing chaos surrounding SNAP, her leadership ensures EBT cards are fully funded.
Even when November SNAP benefits are restored, don't forget that new work requirements will considerably shrink the eligible population.
Benefit amounts (under a recalculated Thrifty Food Plan) are also being targeted.
Watch the space.
🥗 🛟
Benefit amounts (under a recalculated Thrifty Food Plan) are also being targeted.
Watch the space.
🥗 🛟
How Biden’s Thrifty Food Plan Change Broke SNAP’s Cost Controls
A 2021 “technical reevaluation” turned into a $180 billion entitlement expansion. Congress should reverse it.
www.cato.org
November 12, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Even when November SNAP benefits are restored, don't forget that new work requirements will considerably shrink the eligible population.
Benefit amounts (under a recalculated Thrifty Food Plan) are also being targeted.
Watch the space.
🥗 🛟
Benefit amounts (under a recalculated Thrifty Food Plan) are also being targeted.
Watch the space.
🥗 🛟
Reposted by Ben Chrisinger
Op-ed: SNAP reduces hunger, lifts children out of poverty, improves health outcomes, and supports local economies. It is one of the most effective anti-poverty tools this country has ever created.
Op-ed: SNAP Is a Lifeline. I Know Firsthand.
SNAP reduces hunger, lifts children out of poverty, improves health outcomes, and supports local economies.
buff.ly
November 12, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Op-ed: SNAP reduces hunger, lifts children out of poverty, improves health outcomes, and supports local economies. It is one of the most effective anti-poverty tools this country has ever created.
Can I just say having a federal FOOD AS MEDICINE discussion while also doing legal gymnastics to KEEP FOOD FROM PEOPLE is just 🤯
i’ve added alt text
November 11, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Can I just say having a federal FOOD AS MEDICINE discussion while also doing legal gymnastics to KEEP FOOD FROM PEOPLE is just 🤯
For folks on the academic job market this year:
Remember that rejection is the *most common* experience.
It’s hard out there. Even in better times excellent candidates are rejected.
Impossible to know exactly why we get rejected. Just stay focused on your good work. Keep going.
#academicsky
Remember that rejection is the *most common* experience.
It’s hard out there. Even in better times excellent candidates are rejected.
Impossible to know exactly why we get rejected. Just stay focused on your good work. Keep going.
#academicsky
November 11, 2025 at 10:43 PM
For folks on the academic job market this year:
Remember that rejection is the *most common* experience.
It’s hard out there. Even in better times excellent candidates are rejected.
Impossible to know exactly why we get rejected. Just stay focused on your good work. Keep going.
#academicsky
Remember that rejection is the *most common* experience.
It’s hard out there. Even in better times excellent candidates are rejected.
Impossible to know exactly why we get rejected. Just stay focused on your good work. Keep going.
#academicsky
By today, about ~30 million people should’ve received full SNAP benefits for November. Most have not.
The variation in how states have handled the none/partial/full back-and-forth is staggering. And state stop-gap support cannot continue indefinitely.
🥗 🛟
The variation in how states have handled the none/partial/full back-and-forth is staggering. And state stop-gap support cannot continue indefinitely.
🥗 🛟
Shutdown battle ebbs, but Trump won’t give up trying to withhold full SNAP benefits missouriindependent.com/2025/11/11/r...
Shutdown battle ebbs, but Trump won’t give up trying to withhold full SNAP benefits • Missouri Independent
The Trump administration continued Monday to press the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn lower court decisions requiring the federal government pay for full benefits for a major food program, even as Con...
missouriindependent.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:24 PM
By today, about ~30 million people should’ve received full SNAP benefits for November. Most have not.
The variation in how states have handled the none/partial/full back-and-forth is staggering. And state stop-gap support cannot continue indefinitely.
🥗 🛟
The variation in how states have handled the none/partial/full back-and-forth is staggering. And state stop-gap support cannot continue indefinitely.
🥗 🛟
Reposted by Ben Chrisinger
“The consequences extend beyond lost money. Hazardous gambling is correlated with increased rates of anxiety and depression, and young men who engage in it are more likely to slide into a full-blown gambling addiction. Boys who frequently gamble miss more classes, perform worse in school”
The rise of sports betting is a growing public health crisis
Sports betting is more addictive than ever, and millions of young Americans are paying the price.
www.statnews.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:55 PM
“The consequences extend beyond lost money. Hazardous gambling is correlated with increased rates of anxiety and depression, and young men who engage in it are more likely to slide into a full-blown gambling addiction. Boys who frequently gamble miss more classes, perform worse in school”
“Undoing” SNAP payments is next to impossible (and obviously cruel).
This is such a far cry from “government efficiency”… the recalculations, the updates, the rescheduling, the court proceedings. Extra costs for all of that.
And for a program that worked remarkably well, until this month.
🥗 🛟
This is such a far cry from “government efficiency”… the recalculations, the updates, the rescheduling, the court proceedings. Extra costs for all of that.
And for a program that worked remarkably well, until this month.
🥗 🛟
As poor Americans continue to be pawns in the Trump administration's gameplay over the government shutdown, California Attorney General Rob Bonta is seeking guidance from the Supreme Court over how, exactly, the state should "undo" the SNAP payments it made last week. buff.ly/qEpFEV0
AG Bonta Seeks Court Clarification on USDA Demand to Claw Back SNAP Benefits
As poor Americans continue to be pawns in the Trump administration's gameplay over the government shutdown, California Attorney General Rob Bonta is seeking guidance from the Supreme Court over how…
buff.ly
November 10, 2025 at 11:15 PM
“Undoing” SNAP payments is next to impossible (and obviously cruel).
This is such a far cry from “government efficiency”… the recalculations, the updates, the rescheduling, the court proceedings. Extra costs for all of that.
And for a program that worked remarkably well, until this month.
🥗 🛟
This is such a far cry from “government efficiency”… the recalculations, the updates, the rescheduling, the court proceedings. Extra costs for all of that.
And for a program that worked remarkably well, until this month.
🥗 🛟
No SNAP. 1/2 SNAP. 65% SNAP. Full SNAP. Court order to prevent full SNAP...
The state agencies trying to keep up with these changes and administer SNAP are reeling.
I'll say it again:
CONSISTENCY is a core, critical feature of SNAP. The program is undermined by unpredictability. 🥗 🛟
The state agencies trying to keep up with these changes and administer SNAP are reeling.
I'll say it again:
CONSISTENCY is a core, critical feature of SNAP. The program is undermined by unpredictability. 🥗 🛟
Snap workers rebuke Trump administration over funding: ‘using our country’s poorest as pawns’
Employees providing assistance to recipients expressed fears on how lack of aid will affect those who need it most
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:56 PM
No SNAP. 1/2 SNAP. 65% SNAP. Full SNAP. Court order to prevent full SNAP...
The state agencies trying to keep up with these changes and administer SNAP are reeling.
I'll say it again:
CONSISTENCY is a core, critical feature of SNAP. The program is undermined by unpredictability. 🥗 🛟
The state agencies trying to keep up with these changes and administer SNAP are reeling.
I'll say it again:
CONSISTENCY is a core, critical feature of SNAP. The program is undermined by unpredictability. 🥗 🛟
SNAP prevents hunger, yes.
But it also helps the *worry* about hunger.
Despite the program’s shortcomings, its consistency - for decades - has been an incredible strength.
Great reporting on the impacts of cuts by @marisakabas.bsky.social
But it also helps the *worry* about hunger.
Despite the program’s shortcomings, its consistency - for decades - has been an incredible strength.
Great reporting on the impacts of cuts by @marisakabas.bsky.social
New — While some states have received SNAP benefits for November and USDA is supposedly pushing through all federal payments soon, that doesn’t erase the psychological terror of the last few weeks.
I spoke with 20+ SNAP recipients in 16 states about preparing for a possible future with no food:
I spoke with 20+ SNAP recipients in 16 states about preparing for a possible future with no food:
The voices of SNAP
Recipients have become political pawns. They explained, in their own words, what Trump withholding funds has been like.
www.thehandbasket.co
November 8, 2025 at 3:33 AM
SNAP prevents hunger, yes.
But it also helps the *worry* about hunger.
Despite the program’s shortcomings, its consistency - for decades - has been an incredible strength.
Great reporting on the impacts of cuts by @marisakabas.bsky.social
But it also helps the *worry* about hunger.
Despite the program’s shortcomings, its consistency - for decades - has been an incredible strength.
Great reporting on the impacts of cuts by @marisakabas.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Chrisinger
Such a critical feature of this is the consistency.
SNAP is there when you need it: You can rely on it. You can plan around it. You can budget for it.
We should obviously be concerned about hunger. But *worry* about hunger is its own danger.
🥗 🛟
SNAP is there when you need it: You can rely on it. You can plan around it. You can budget for it.
We should obviously be concerned about hunger. But *worry* about hunger is its own danger.
🥗 🛟
SNAP has existed for 60 years. Benefits have gone out every single month over those six decades, including during government shutdowns. Until now.
Make no mistake: The money is available to fund SNAP during this shutdown. Trump is making a choice to withhold it.
Don’t forget this.
Make no mistake: The money is available to fund SNAP during this shutdown. Trump is making a choice to withhold it.
Don’t forget this.
November 7, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Such a critical feature of this is the consistency.
SNAP is there when you need it: You can rely on it. You can plan around it. You can budget for it.
We should obviously be concerned about hunger. But *worry* about hunger is its own danger.
🥗 🛟
SNAP is there when you need it: You can rely on it. You can plan around it. You can budget for it.
We should obviously be concerned about hunger. But *worry* about hunger is its own danger.
🥗 🛟
Good.
But folks with benefit dates later in the month shouldn’t have to worry that a court appeal could leave them without SNAP.
But folks with benefit dates later in the month shouldn’t have to worry that a court appeal could leave them without SNAP.
Trump administration says it will fully fund SNAP while court appeal plays out www.nbcnews.com/politics/pol...
Trump administration says it will fully fund SNAP while court appeal plays out
The administration has asked a federal appeals court for an emergency pause on a judge's order to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
www.nbcnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Good.
But folks with benefit dates later in the month shouldn’t have to worry that a court appeal could leave them without SNAP.
But folks with benefit dates later in the month shouldn’t have to worry that a court appeal could leave them without SNAP.
This is the thing: if SNAP isn’t safe, nothing’s safe.
It bridges urban and rural, anti poverty and agribusiness. If those stakeholders/lobbyists can’t keep SNAP from being withheld, know that everything else is on the table.
It bridges urban and rural, anti poverty and agribusiness. If those stakeholders/lobbyists can’t keep SNAP from being withheld, know that everything else is on the table.
They're trying to gut LIHEAP for the same reasons! When I was in recovery and physically couldn't work for months, LIHEAP literally kept me from freezing to death in my place in South Philly. These programs work and save peoples lives, and that doesn't line up with the pro eugenics crowd
I got laid off, I utilized SNAP, and I was able to remain in my chosen field of profession. The program is incredibly effective in mitigating the effects of unemployment, and that’s precisely why they want to gut it.
November 7, 2025 at 5:12 PM
This is the thing: if SNAP isn’t safe, nothing’s safe.
It bridges urban and rural, anti poverty and agribusiness. If those stakeholders/lobbyists can’t keep SNAP from being withheld, know that everything else is on the table.
It bridges urban and rural, anti poverty and agribusiness. If those stakeholders/lobbyists can’t keep SNAP from being withheld, know that everything else is on the table.