Although even dedicated conservatives might feel sympathy for food stamp recipenets who are willing to work but can’t employment, one can’t help but ponder how those who cannot even find the time to volunteer or enroll in job-training for a few hours a week. That they can’t even meet these requirements says very much about their participation in the program:
“Back in the midst of the 2008 financial crisis, the work requirements for SNAP were waived due to cratering job prospects and an unstable global economy. As economic indicators improved, lawmakers began debating whether to reinstate the requirements, with conservatives arguing that the rule encourages people to find work and liberals saying it would harm those still struggling with poverty.
The requirements came back on the books in 40 states at the start of 2016, according to The Atlantic. That means the first phase of people on SNAP will see their benefits expire on April 1, and the number could add up to more than half a million Americans.
In Missouri, some 30,000 people could be kicked off the program on Friday, WDAF News reported. State lawmakers passed a bill removing the work requirement waiver last year.
In Tennessee, roughly 150,000 people could lose their food stamps this year as a result of the work requirement, according to WJHL.
By the end of 2016, up to a million people around the nation could lose their benefits.
Supporters of the rule, generally falling into the Republican camp, say that requiring a job or some form of volunteer work is overdue, considering the unemployment rate has dropped from 10 percent in 2009 to under five percent as of February 2016.
After Kansas brought back work requirements in 2013, the number of people receiving assistance dropped by 20,000, but their incomes rose 127 percent, Fox News reported.
“I believe most Americans and most Kansans think it’s common sense,” said Andrew Wiens of the Kansas Department for Children & Families to the news outlet. “These are able-bodied adults without dependents. They don’t have children in the home. They’re not elderly, they’re not disabled. These folks should be working.”
Source: RT
I wonder if this includes illegal immigrants as well??
How many will come off the taxpayers$#%&!@*when they start getting the 15hr wage? Then they will want to go part-time so they don’t lose their benefits….
It’s about time!!! I’m tired of my Tax $$$$$$. Being wasted on able bodied individuals!!!! Work for what you want in life!!! No one owes you anything!!!!!