Reform SNAP processing for Shawnee County
The Issue
This petition was sent out on April 9th, but we were made aware of a recent bill passed that may affect the way we go about the meeting we will have with DCF. Right now, we want to tell DCF the barriers the community is experiencing so that they are aware when they make changes to eligibility in the future. We stand behind our efforts regardless of this new bill, and believe it is more important now than ever to show your support.
Thousands of Shawnee County residents rely on SNAP benefits, yet delays and miscommunication make the application process stressful and confusing. Families deserve a system that is efficient, transparent, and accessible.
What is the Issue?
When applying for SNAP benefits, individuals and families experience significant delays in processing and barriers in the application process due to a lack of proper communication. According to a study conducted on the barriers and enablers of SNAP benefits applications, “Relevant SNAP stakeholders identified a similar number of barriers and enablers, whereas studies targeting income-eligible SNAP recipients identified more barriers than enablers to SNAP participation” (Figueroa et al., 2025, p. 48). This evidence shows that there are significant issues with the SNAP application process. Barriers to the SNAP application process affect families in many ways. People are having to take extra days off work to complete applications for benefits. These extra days require them to find childcare and go without pay. Children’s Healthwatch claims, “Mothers in families with barriers to access were also more likely to report experiencing depressive symptoms and having had to make trade-offs between paying for medical costs or for basic needs, such as rent, utilities or food” (2011, p. 2). Changes in application requirements are not communicated accurately, leaving individuals without benefits. Families who apply for benefits online will be texted that they will receive a call in a few minutes, prompting them to set aside time to take the call. If they are unable to take the call, a voicemail or callback number is not given, and the family could lose benefits. Our partner on this project has experienced this process firsthand. State offices are not open on evenings, weekends, or holidays, providing another barrier to families seeking to apply (Food Stamp Offices National Office Search, 2026). Families are having to choose between food and other expenses because the SNAP application process has too many barriers. According to an article from the National Council on Aging (2024), a Facebook user made this post, “My sister is going through that, having to choose between going to chemo or eating.” Families with children who lose SNAP benefits experience worse health outcomes. According to Drexel University’s Center for Hunger-Free Communities, “Compared to young children in families consistently receiving SNAP, young children in families that experienced a loss or reduction of SNAP benefits due to an increase in income were more likely to be: Food insecure, in poor health, at risk for developmental delays” (2013).
Our Solution
We’ve decided to use targeted meetings and direct accountability with decision makers to advocate for making the application process faster. This means that we will use this petition to hold decision makers accountable for making the SNAP application process more timely and accessible to those trying to receive benefits. In addition to this petition, we have a meeting planned to walk decision makers through the process of applications via “day-in-the-life" scenarios, where we will show them how certain barriers can make it challenging to apply for and receive SNAP benefits with the current application process. These decision makers include members of the Shawnee County Department of Children and Families, including Laura Howard and Carla White-Hicks. Laura Howard is the Secretary of the Department of Children and Families, and Carla White-Hicks is the Director of Economics and Employment Services at DCF, meaning she is responsible for phased approaches and corrective action plans for program improvement at DCF. We believe these tactics will lessen the communication barriers in the SNAP application process and will enlighten the individuals who can make a change so that policies are put in place to prevent communication barriers from occurring.
What We Need from You
Your signature can help encourage decision-makers to take meaningful action toward creating more accessible and timely application processes for families in our community who rely on these essential resources. If you feel comfortable, we also invite you to share your own experience with the DCF/SNAP application process by taking our short, anonymous survey that is linked below. Personal stories and real-life challenges provide powerful insight and can play a crucial role in strengthening our efforts for change.
Access to food is a basic human need. Improving the SNAP process in Shawnee County will help ensure no family is left waiting in uncertainty.
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The Issue
This petition was sent out on April 9th, but we were made aware of a recent bill passed that may affect the way we go about the meeting we will have with DCF. Right now, we want to tell DCF the barriers the community is experiencing so that they are aware when they make changes to eligibility in the future. We stand behind our efforts regardless of this new bill, and believe it is more important now than ever to show your support.
Thousands of Shawnee County residents rely on SNAP benefits, yet delays and miscommunication make the application process stressful and confusing. Families deserve a system that is efficient, transparent, and accessible.
What is the Issue?
When applying for SNAP benefits, individuals and families experience significant delays in processing and barriers in the application process due to a lack of proper communication. According to a study conducted on the barriers and enablers of SNAP benefits applications, “Relevant SNAP stakeholders identified a similar number of barriers and enablers, whereas studies targeting income-eligible SNAP recipients identified more barriers than enablers to SNAP participation” (Figueroa et al., 2025, p. 48). This evidence shows that there are significant issues with the SNAP application process. Barriers to the SNAP application process affect families in many ways. People are having to take extra days off work to complete applications for benefits. These extra days require them to find childcare and go without pay. Children’s Healthwatch claims, “Mothers in families with barriers to access were also more likely to report experiencing depressive symptoms and having had to make trade-offs between paying for medical costs or for basic needs, such as rent, utilities or food” (2011, p. 2). Changes in application requirements are not communicated accurately, leaving individuals without benefits. Families who apply for benefits online will be texted that they will receive a call in a few minutes, prompting them to set aside time to take the call. If they are unable to take the call, a voicemail or callback number is not given, and the family could lose benefits. Our partner on this project has experienced this process firsthand. State offices are not open on evenings, weekends, or holidays, providing another barrier to families seeking to apply (Food Stamp Offices National Office Search, 2026). Families are having to choose between food and other expenses because the SNAP application process has too many barriers. According to an article from the National Council on Aging (2024), a Facebook user made this post, “My sister is going through that, having to choose between going to chemo or eating.” Families with children who lose SNAP benefits experience worse health outcomes. According to Drexel University’s Center for Hunger-Free Communities, “Compared to young children in families consistently receiving SNAP, young children in families that experienced a loss or reduction of SNAP benefits due to an increase in income were more likely to be: Food insecure, in poor health, at risk for developmental delays” (2013).
Our Solution
We’ve decided to use targeted meetings and direct accountability with decision makers to advocate for making the application process faster. This means that we will use this petition to hold decision makers accountable for making the SNAP application process more timely and accessible to those trying to receive benefits. In addition to this petition, we have a meeting planned to walk decision makers through the process of applications via “day-in-the-life" scenarios, where we will show them how certain barriers can make it challenging to apply for and receive SNAP benefits with the current application process. These decision makers include members of the Shawnee County Department of Children and Families, including Laura Howard and Carla White-Hicks. Laura Howard is the Secretary of the Department of Children and Families, and Carla White-Hicks is the Director of Economics and Employment Services at DCF, meaning she is responsible for phased approaches and corrective action plans for program improvement at DCF. We believe these tactics will lessen the communication barriers in the SNAP application process and will enlighten the individuals who can make a change so that policies are put in place to prevent communication barriers from occurring.
What We Need from You
Your signature can help encourage decision-makers to take meaningful action toward creating more accessible and timely application processes for families in our community who rely on these essential resources. If you feel comfortable, we also invite you to share your own experience with the DCF/SNAP application process by taking our short, anonymous survey that is linked below. Personal stories and real-life challenges provide powerful insight and can play a crucial role in strengthening our efforts for change.
Access to food is a basic human need. Improving the SNAP process in Shawnee County will help ensure no family is left waiting in uncertainty.
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Petition created on April 9, 2026