Starvation Isn't Rehabilitation Pass the RESTORE Act

Many people released from incarceration have little to no resources to get back on their feet; even money to buy food can be scarce. For those returning from prison with a drug conviction, that struggle is made even more difficult because they are banned from accessing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — the federal government’s aid program that helps low-income individuals and families purchase food.

The ban on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for people convicted of drug offenses disproportionately affects those struggling to reintegrate into society, increasing the risk of hardship, returning to prison and overdosing amidst the raging fentanyl crisis.

The RESTORE Act will do just that, restore these individuals' ability to access SNAP and even allow them to apply for the program before their release. This legislation ensures that returning citizens can meet their basic needs as they work to rebuild their lives, recognizing that access to food is essential for successful reentry.

Let's create a more compassionate society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. By removing barriers to essential services, we can help individuals in recovery maintain stability, reduce the risk of relapse and overdose, and save lives. Sign this petition today, and tell your legislators in the House and Senate Agriculture Committee to pass the RESTORE Act outright or add it to the Farm Bill!

Not sure if your legislator is on the committee? Check the following hyperlinks to see whether your representative is on the House Committee on Agriculture or is a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry.

Demand the Senate Pass the RESTORE Act!

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Dear Senator,

I write today to urge you to support the RESTORE Act. This critical legislation would repeal the ban on SNAP benefits for people convicted of a drug offenses in states with total or partial bans on SNAP benefits and allow them to apply for the program before their release, providing a lifeline to thousands of individuals returning from prison who face immense challenges in accessing basic necessities like food.

I believe that the ban on SNAP benefits for people convicted of a drug offense disproportionately affects those struggling to reintegrate into society, increasing the risk of recidivism and overdose amidst the growing fentanyl crisis. By removing this barrier, the RESTORE Act ensures that returning citizens can meet their basic needs as they work to rebuild their lives, recognizing that access to food is essential for successful reentry.

I call on you to support the RESTORE Act and prioritize its passage. By doing so, you can help create a more compassionate society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their past mistakes. I appreciate your attention to this critical issue and look forward to your support.