U.S. Sen. Ricketts discusses success of SNAP program in Nebraska, plans to take it nationwide

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. -- U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts is planning to take SNAP Next Step program across the nation. 

On Monday morning, Ricketts hosted a roundtable to talk about the success of the Nebraska SNAP Next Step program, ahead of introducing it at the senate.  

“I think there’s a lot that we do here in Nebraska that Washington D.C. can learn from, and one of the things I’m most proud of, that we did as governor, is improve level services and the SNAP Next Step program is a great example of that," Ricketts said.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program created back in 2016 provides low-income Nebraskans with job skills and opportunities needed to land a better paying job.

Ricketts said he wants to introduce this to help the people.  

“I wanted to introduce this cause it's something that really helped people out, improved their lives, got them $25,000 more in income a year," Ricketts said. "And this is not something that just should be for Nebraska, but not only Nebraskans, but all Americans should have an opportunity to be able to do this.”

Some key provisions in it are going to be that the states will be allowed to use administrative funds to help people into the program, and also to encourage to create a benefits calculator. 

Ricketts will be introducing the SNAP Next Step act of 2023 on Tuesday.