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Tuesday, March 06, 2018

Work Requirements Have Revolutionized Welfare at the State Level. Now It’s Uncle Sam’s Turn.

Policymakers are ready to get serious about work requirements for food stamps, with both Congress and the Trump administration working on ways to improve the program.

A little over a week ago, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it is seeking comments on how best to reintroduce work requirements in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, often referred to as food stamps.

“Too many states have asked to waive work requirements, abdicating their responsibility to move participants to self-sufficiency,” Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said in a press release. “ … [U.S. Department of Agriculture] policies must change if they contribute to a long-term failure for many [food stamp] participants and their families.”

The 1996 welfare reform law allowed states to apply for full or partial waivers of the work requirement based on high unemployment or low job availability. The number of waivers peaked in 2009, when Congress allowed the Obama administration to waive the program’s work requirements for all states.

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8 comments:

Anonymous said...

The fraud, waste and abuse is staggering with the present system. We have the resources to easily feed all of the hungry in this country, but we've turned it into a huge mess, choosing "feelings" over the reality of doing the job effectively and efficiently.

Anonymous said...

Most food stamp recipients are already working.

Anonymous said...

Lots of states MANDATED welfare people do 20 hrs at a state building but Obama came along and said No more just SIT HOMR.AKA REPERATIONS.

Anonymous said...

Unannounced Drug testing.
Explain to a STATE DR Why you can't work MONTHLY

Anonymous said...

1:58 - too many of them are NOT even trying...too many are abusing the system...crabs, lobster, and steak are only on my menu for special occasions - yet they are allowed to be purchased with food assistance money...WRONG!

Anonymous said...

EBT cards should NOT be allowed to buy lobster shrimp soda candy chips ect.

Anonymous said...

1:40
Who is"We"?

You and Me?

I think you meant to type: The government has the resources to feed all of the people . . .

right?

You and Me can't possibly feed all of the people.
Be specific when identifying who the culprits are, and don't identify yourself with the crimes of this evil government.

Anonymous said...

1050
Great point!