More than 3M could be cut from food stamps program

More than 3 million people could be cut from the food stamps program.

News 12 Staff

Dec 5, 2019, 10:46 PM

Updated 1,774 days ago

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More than 3 million people could be cut from the food stamps program.
This week, the Trump administration unveiled three possible changes, including tightening who qualifies for aid and creating work requirements.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is the formal name for food stamps. If a family qualifies, they can get help with groceries and meals at school for their kids.
President Donald Trump has argued against what he calls "entitlement programs" since his campaign in 2016 and just last month at the New York City Economic Club.

The three proposed rule changes could mean 688,000 people losing assistance if a work mandate is enforced. More than 3 million could lose if the qualifying requirements change. Nearly half a million students wouldn't qualify for reduced lunch at school.
The Trump administration says the new rules would mean more non-disabled Americans will get back to work, but critics argue more restrictions on welfare programs hurt American families.
More than 36 million Americans currently receive SNAP benefits.

The USDA says implementing just one of the proposals on work requirements would save $5.5 billion over five years.