Food stamp recipients under a new proposal from the Trump Administration would be less likely to avoid work requirements. If embraced by lawmakers, the policy shift could push more than 750,000 Americans from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Advocates see the projected reduction in beneficiaries as a clear benefit, but critics fear the result will mean more people eating less nutritious food and/or going hungry. While work requirements are already a part of SNAP, many states are able to obtain waivers that eliminate the burden for those living in areas with high unemployment rates. Since the national unemployment rate is currently low, advocates believe reducing the number of waivers and requiring more recipients to work, volunteer, or train 20 hours per week is more than achievable for able-bodied adults. This policy solution is, however, a no-solution, because it fails to address the dysfunctions driving the need for financial assistance like food subsidies.
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April 2020
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