Trump Proposal Would Push 3 Million Americans Off Food Stamps
By Associated Press
Published 5 years ago on
July 23, 2019
Share
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Tuesday proposed tightening automatic eligibility requirements for the food stamp program, a change that could affect about 3.1 million people.
The Agriculture Department said the rule would close “a loophole” that enables people receiving only minimal benefits from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program to be eligible automatically for food stamps.
“For too long, this loophole has been used to effectively bypass important eligibility guidelines. Too often, states have misused this flexibility without restraint.” — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue
“For too long, this loophole has been used to effectively bypass important eligibility guidelines. Too often, states have misused this flexibility without restraint,” Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said in a statement.Under current law, states may confer eligibility for food stamps, officially called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, if they meet income and other requirements for TANF. USDA says 43 states have expanded that to include households that the agency says “barely participate” in TANF.
USDA said this has resulted in people receiving food stamps who don’t need it and wouldn’t qualify under regular program rules. It estimates that in 2020, 3.1 million food stamp recipients, or 8% of the total could be affected.
Under the proposal, to qualify for automatic eligibility, people would have to get at least $50 a month in benefits from TANF for a minimum of six months.
Perdue said the change is necessary for “preventing abuse of a critical safety net system.”
The rule is open for public comment for 60 days.
Tabloid Publisher Says He Pledged to Be Trump Campaign’s ‘Eyes and Ears’ During 2016 Race
Politics /
5 hours ago
General Motors Reports Strong First-Quarter Profits as Prices Help Offset Small US Sales Dip
Business /
5 hours ago
Caitlin Clark Is Set to Sign a New Nike Deal Valued at $28 Million Over 8 Years, Reports Say
Sports /
6 hours ago
A Far-Right German EU Lawmaker’s Aide Is Arrested on Suspicion of Spying for China
World /
7 hours ago
Wall Street Rallies and Adds to Its Hot Start to the Week
Economy /
7 hours ago
Tent Compound Rises in Southern Gaza as Israel Prepares for Rafah Offensive
Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press appear to show a new compound of tents being built near Khan Younis in the southern Gaza S...
World /
42 mins ago
Categories
Latest
Videos
World /
42 mins ago
Tent Compound Rises in Southern Gaza as Israel Prepares for Rafah Offensive
Politics /
1 hour ago
Costa Seeks Legislation to Prevent Reedley Lab Repeat
Politics /
5 hours ago
Tabloid Publisher Says He Pledged to Be Trump Campaign’s ‘Eyes and Ears’ During 2016 Race
Business /
5 hours ago