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TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD/Gray News) – Millions of Americans nationwide are set to lose their food stamps in just a few days. One woman in Arizona said the SNAP benefits she has relied on have literally “saved her life.” Barbara Schulz is a cancer survivor currently in remission. After she was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia in 2021, she has been relying on food stamps to ensure she stays healthy during recovery. “In a sense, it keeps me alive,” Schulz said. “It keeps me healthy and it keeps me alive.” However, when her SNAP benefits are gone, she said staying healthy will be a challenge. “With what I get, I use, so I can eat an organic, plant-based diet, to keep me healthy and hopefully keep me in remission,” Schulz said. The 67-year-old was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia just after her business as a freelance paralegal dissolved during the COVID pandemic. Ever since then, she has relied on her early Social Security and SNAP benefits to survive. Although she survived the disease, the long-term side effects of her treatment have made it difficult for her to get back to work. “Being a senior, it’s not that easy to get a job, especially when you have some disability issues,” Schulz said. When she received notification about her benefits being taken away, she said she was heartbroken. “Being told I’m not going to get my money in November sucker-punched me. Literally sucker-punched me,” Schulz said. This marks the first time in SNAP’s 60-year history that it will not be funded by the government. Even during previous government shutdowns, funds were used to make sure the program would continue as needed. The Trump Administration could reallocate funds so people can still get benefits, but the Department of Agriculture said it will not dip into its $6 billion contingency fund. With only a few days left until November, Schulz is concerned about how she will navigate losing crucial funds to help her eat and stay healthy. “I guess I’ll have smaller salads each day, juice a little less,” Schulz said. “I keep a simple diet, I don’t do exciting things, and I’ll just have smaller portions and I’ll have to make it last. That’s my only choice until I can hopefully find some work.” Schulz is one of about 42 million Americans who will lose their SNAP benefits starting Saturday, Nov. 1.
