Post by Logan on Jan 23, 2016 1:42:32 GMT -6
More than 500,000 Americans could lose access to food stamps within the coming months, as newly reinstated requirements mean able-bodied adults without dependent children must find work to continue receiving assistance.
The benefits, offered by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, provide access to food for many of the nation’s poorest adults and children. In 1996, during a period of welfare reform, a new law required working-age adults without dependent children to work at least 80 hours per month, or be enrolled in a training program for an equal amount of time, to continue receiving benefits. Otherwise, they were only eligible to receive assistance for three months out of every three-year period.
This requirement was lifted federally in 2009, when the economic recession was in full swing and unemployment was on the rise. Once the economy began to improve, many states began to look to this legislation to get people working again.
On Jan. 1, 22 states reinstated work requirements for food stamps, leaving only seven states -- California, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, Rhode Island and South Carolina -- and the District of Columbia without such requirements in at least part of the state.
Continued at www.opposingviews.com/i/society/more-50000-americans-set-lose-food-stamps .
The benefits, offered by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, provide access to food for many of the nation’s poorest adults and children. In 1996, during a period of welfare reform, a new law required working-age adults without dependent children to work at least 80 hours per month, or be enrolled in a training program for an equal amount of time, to continue receiving benefits. Otherwise, they were only eligible to receive assistance for three months out of every three-year period.
This requirement was lifted federally in 2009, when the economic recession was in full swing and unemployment was on the rise. Once the economy began to improve, many states began to look to this legislation to get people working again.
On Jan. 1, 22 states reinstated work requirements for food stamps, leaving only seven states -- California, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, Rhode Island and South Carolina -- and the District of Columbia without such requirements in at least part of the state.
Continued at www.opposingviews.com/i/society/more-50000-americans-set-lose-food-stamps .