Arkansas Families Caught in the SNAP Gap
Wed, August 5, 2026 at 5:33 PM
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For many Arkansas families, having a job is not enough to keep food on the table. (PHOTO: KATV)
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) —For many Arkansas families, having a job is not enough to keep food on the table
Some say they earn just enough to disqualify them from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, but not enough to afford groceries as food, housing and other essential costs continue to climb
The result, they say, is a growing group of working families falling into what advocates call the “SNAP Gap.”
For Genny Abella Gillman, every paycheck brings impossible decisions
“It’s a struggle because it’s like, which one should I do? I know I have to do best for myself to be able to be there for my children and to take care of them, but I can’t take care of both all the time.”
She says her children’s needs always come first, even when that means sacrificing her own
“One has to suffer, and I don’t want my children suffering. They get the nutrition and the food they need. It makes me feel like, ‘What am I doing wrong?'”
Liv Iverson said her family has even discussed earning less in order to qualify
“It crossed our minds… maybe we can ask for a pay decrease. It’s still a job. Maybe that would be an easier way of figuring it out.”
For Charity Crenshaw, every month comes down to impossible choices
“There’s times where we have to decide on either paying our rent and go without food, or go with food and not pay our rent.”
She said after paying rent one week, her family had just $7 left
“That gives us a whole meal.”
Crenshaw, who has epilepsy, says food insecurity has also affected her health
“Last week, we really didn’t have a whole lot of food, and so we went a day without eating. That caused me to have eight seizures and end up in the hospital.”
Another Arkansas mother, who asked not to be identified, described the application process simply:
“They don’t make it easy at all.”
Beyond the financial burden, families say the emotional stress can be overwhelming
“It’s that emotional tug of war,” Iverson said. “Not only the financial tug of war… is this going to be best for my child?”
<a href="https://healthylife7.com/the-1-cooking-oil-for-heart-health-according-to-nutrition-experts/” title=”The #1 Cooking Oil for Heart Health, According to Nutrition Experts”>According to Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, the problem is not unemployment, it’s that many working families simply can’t keep up with rising costs
“Arkansas is the hungriest state in the nation, with a hunger and food insecurity rate of 19.4%, and the cost of groceries continues to rise,” said Christin Harper, the organization‘s director of policy
Harper said food is only one part of the financial pressure families face
“It’s also health care, child care, gas and other everyday expenses. Families are really struggling to make ends meet.”
She also pointed to Arkansas’ SNAP eligibility rules, noting the state remains one of the few that still has an asset limit for many applicants
“An asset limit means the amount you might have in your bank account or the value of a second vehicle,” Harper said. “We’re one of the few states in the country that still has SNAP asset limits, and we have the most restrictive SNAP asset limit for most people.”
