Center for Budget and Policy PrioritiesPosted on 01/07/2015 3:11:39 PM PST by SeekAndFind
For some of America's poorest adults without jobs, there may be a downside to falling unemployment: they could get kicked out of the SNAP (food stamp) program, even if they are still looking for work.
The left-leaning think tank, the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, estimates that as many as 1 million Americans could lose their SNAP benefits in 2016*.
Back in 1996, when the welfare law that includes SNAP was put into place, the government limited food stamp benefits to three months for unemployed adults between 18 and 50 without minor children or disabilities. The three-month time limit is in effect for any three year period when eligible people aren't working or spending at least 20 hours a week at a training program (something the government provides, theoretically, but in practice a slot in one is often hard to find).
More than 80% of people who fall under this umbrella have household incomes below half of the poverty line, according to the CBPP. SNAP benefits are worth about $150-200 of their monthly budgets.
States can waive the three-month limit under certain circumstances — mostly related to unemployment being higher than 10% in that state — and most have done so since the Great Recession. As unemployment continues to fall, about 30% of states' waivers have already expired, and the CBPP says most of the remaining waivers are going to expire by 2016.
This is what that demographic group looks like.
Center for Budget and Policy Priorities
There are many benefits that have work requirements, but SNAP is somewhat unique in that it doesn't factor in people who are looking for work but cannot find a job.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
There are way too many people on Food Stamps. Obama has opened it up to the middle class and relaxed means testing to put as much of the population as possible on the public dole. The best thing that could happen to this country is for about half the people on Food Stamps to lose them.
Are blax and mooselimbs exempt from loosing their food stamps?
Make it 15 million and then we’re talking progress.
Finally! A Feel Good Story for Today.
Thanks for posting.
Accompany that with jobs and increased manufacturing.
I think it ought to be TWENTY million.
2016?
TFB
Boehner will rescue it...compassionate conservatism.
of course it won’t happen, you’d have Ferguson in every city and town
Wow!
2% of food stamp recipients could lose their benefits?
“There are way too many people on Food Stamps.”
I agree, but I also think that people who are seriously looking for jobs should be helped. I remember, over 30 years ago, I had to turn my applications and interviews, in to my unemployment officer. That was in Milwaukee. I didn’t stay on it long. Went to ManPower, and worked as a night janitor until the electronic company I worked for called me back to work. My boss had hit a dry spell, but begged me not to take another full-time job. Man! Was I happy when I got back to working days for him!
No doubt, but can you imagine what will happen when the card gets declined?
Does this mean that one million of the recipients will have to find a job? Another government “crisis”
I might need more .223
better yet, eliminate food stamps and any other form of free food!!!
Isn't that a pity?
I'm wondering what other people see.
Boo Hoo
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