Tag: major social safety net overhaul

GOP proposes stricter work requirements for food stamp recipients, a step toward a major overhaul of the social safety net

The following article by Caitlin Dewey was posted on the Washington Post website April 12, 2018:

Many Democrats and anti-hunger advocates harbor deep reservations about the proposal — even if they have supported employment and training programs in the past. Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

House Republicans took their first step Thursday toward overhauling the federal safety net, pushing for new work requirements in the food-stamp program used by 42 million Americans.

The plan, introduced as part of the 2018 Farm Bill over objections of Democrats, would dramatically expand mandatory state workfare programs in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as food stamps.

Under the proposal, most adults between 18 and 59 will be required to work part-time or enroll in 20 hours a week of workforce training to receive assistance. The plan budgets $1 billion per year to fund the training program expansion. Continue reading “GOP proposes stricter work requirements for food stamp recipients, a step toward a major overhaul of the social safety net”