Food stamp recipients could face new work requirements

The Farm Bill will soon expire on September 30, and now congressional leaders are continuing closed-door negotiations before a vote is expected.

The bill will modify agriculture and nutrition policies, including those in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) more commonly known as food stamps. Beneficiaries would face new work requirements under the proposed bill.

Louisiana District Five Congressman Ralph Abraham said, “We want to make sure that the SNAP benefit goes to the people who need it the most. Basically, just a healthy individual that has fallen on hard times, we want that SNAP for that stop gap, but then we want that person to get that good job.”

The goal of the reform is self-sufficiency. The work requirement applies to adults aged 18 – 59 years, but there are exemptions including parents of young children, the elderly, and disabled.

Congressman Abraham said absolutely no one will lose benefits or face reductions with the new work requirement. But for those who choose to not adhere, he said, “If they opt not to participate in those work requirements then that's certainly their business.”