A new paper by Nasser Sharareh and his colleagues addresses this pressing concerns around food insecurity for refugees here in the United States. To their astonishment, one of the biggest factors toward increasing hunger for these at-risk populations is getting a job. Recent research published in the journal PLOS One helps show why many refugees face obstacles to keeping their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamp) benefits. This lack of access has compounded their already high food insecurity.
Refugees are fast-tracked by caseworkers at resettlement agencies into SNAP soon after their arrival in the U.S. This kind of support is really important. Indeed, food insecurity rates among refugees can drastically increase, even affecting as much as three-quarters of refugees—up to 85% for particularly vulnerable populations. However, these benefits are not indelible. Refugees need to reapply for SNAP every six months in order to continue their support. This requirement adds even more obstacles as they try to build their new lives.
Employment Challenges for Refugees
Employment provides the best path to success and is key to self-sufficiency. As the study unveils, refugees’ very first jobs are usually unstable and pay minimally. For most refugees, this puts them in a perpetual cycle of temp work, ever more susceptible to collapse under massive financial burden. When their first job ends ahead of schedule, they often have to re-enter a world of instability and struggle.
The researchers held one-on-one interviews with refugees from eight different countries resettled in Utah. They wanted to know when refugees face the greatest challenges in being able to purchase food. These results illustrate that millions of SNAP recipients are at risk of not receiving benefits for long stretches, potentially exceeding two months at times. This occurs even though they are eligible to reapply for Troubleshooting Assistance. That lack of support has dire consequences for families. These children face huge challenges to adjust to life in a new country.
The Economic Impact of Food Insecurity
Food insecurity impacts more than just the families who need assistance. It has far-reaching consequences for our country as a whole. The research makes a strong case that food insecurity is costing the U.S. healthcare system over $53 billion every year. Addressing this issue could not only alleviate suffering among refugees but yield positive economic benefits for the entire nation.
This study highlights several “danger zones” in which refugees face increased risk of hunger. These zones are often food deserts, disenfranchised areas without consistent access to food resources or economic opportunity. The research pinpoints critical areas where refugees struggle to find food. This specific information will inform tailored interventions to get them past these barriers.
Proposed Solutions and Support
Recognizing these needs identified through the findings, the study suggests a number of possible responses to ensure that refugees are able to prosper in their new home. We improve direct services through outreach and technical assistance that makes SNAP applications and recertifications less intimidating. We operate job training programs tailored to meet the complex needs of diverse refugee communities. Improving community collaborations can further help connect refugees to the resources and support they need to thrive.
As refugees navigate a new culture, language, and society, they too are on the journey to becoming naturalized U.S. citizens. Without sufficient food access and consistent living wage jobs, this shift can be riddled with obstacles. The research calls for more holistic approaches that go beyond short-term fixes for food insecurity and build long-term resilience.