Trump administration tightens food stamp work requirements; hundreds of Mainers likely impacted

STRIPS BEFORE THEY FINALLY STOPPED HIM. HE FACES A LIST OF CHARGES.. 189-THOUSAND INDIVIDUALS IN MAINE RECEIVE "SNAP" BENEFITS. NOW, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ESTIMATES 13- HUNDRED COULD NOW LOSE THEM...BECAUSE OF A NEW TRUMP ADMINISTRATION RULE. THE RULE áTOUGHENSá WORK REQUIREMENTS FOR SOME "ABLE- BODIED" ADULTS. WMTW NEWS8'S PHIL HIRSCHKORN IS HERE NOW TO EXPLAIN. PHIL? MEGHAN AND STEVE-- THE NEW RULE WILL REQUIRE áMOREá "ABLE- BODIED" ADULTS UNDER 50...WITH NO KIDS OR OTHER DEPENDENTS...TO HOLD A JOB. ANTI-POVERTY GROUPS AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SAYS THIS IS A MISTAKE. (TWO SHOT) MEREDITH COOK SIGNS UP PEOPLE FOR "SNAP" BENEFITS EVERY WEEK AND SAYS MANY HAVE OBSTACLES TO EMPLOYMENT. (SOT MEREDITH COOK, PREBLE STREET, APX 3:57) "THEY MAY HAVE BARRIERS INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH, TRANSPORTATION, AND ALSO, JUST THE NATURE OF LOW WAGE WORK; IT'S OFTEN INTERMITTENT WITH UNRELIABLE HOURS." (VO HOMELESS PEOPLE, PREBLE STREET SOUP KITCHEN) COOK WORKS FOR PORTLAND- BASED "PREBLE STREET," WHOSE MISSION INCLUDES HELPING THE HOMELESS. (SOT MEREDITH COOK, PREBLE STREET, APX 5:25) "IF YOU DON'T HAVE A RELIABLE PLACE TO SLEEP, TO SHOWER, AN ADDRESS, IT'S REALLY HARD TO GET AND MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT." (VO SNAP FILE) ALREADY -- TO COLLECT "SNAP" BEYOND THREE MONTHS -- A RECIPIENT MUST EITHER HOLD A JOB, TRAIN FOR ONE, OR VOLUNTEER 20 HOURS A WEEK. STATES CAN áWAIVEá THAT REQUIREMENT IN HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT AREAS. THE NEW RULE RAISES THE THRESHHOLD FOR A WAIVER... REQUIRING UNEMPLOYMENT TO BE 6-PERCENT OR WORSE. MAINE UNEMPLOYMENT IS CURRENTLY 3- PERCENT. (VO PERDUE IN MAINE FILE) TRUMP AGRICULTURAL SECRETARY SONNY PERDUE SAYS THE CHANGE COMPLIES WITH CONGRESSIONAL INTENT GOING BACK TO THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION -- TO MOVE "SNAP" RECIPIENTS TOWARD "SELF- SUFFICIENCY." (SOT PERDUE AUDIO OVER F/S GFX EXPORT) "THE RULE RESTORES A SYSTEM...THAT WAS ASSISTANCE THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES, NOT A WAY OF LIFE." (SOT MEREDITH COOK, PREBLE STREET, APX. 7:00) "PEOPLE WHO CAN WORK DO WORK, FOR THE MOST PART, IN THE SNAP PROGRAM. WE SEE THIS REALLY AS A CRUEL PUNISHMENT FOR BEING PEOPLE LIVING IN POVERTY." MAINE'S DEAPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES IT'S "DISAPPOINTED" IN THE RULE CHANGE, ESPECIALLY FOR MAINERS IN RURAL AREAS WITH ECONOMIC AND EMPLOYMENT CHALLENGES. THE RULE BECOM

The Trump administration is tightening work requirements for the federal food stamp program in a move that will slash benefits for hundreds of thousands of people.The rule will restrict states from exempting work-eligible adults from having to obtain steady employment to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which feeds more than 36 million Americans.The Agriculture Department says the change would save $5.5 billion over five years and cut benefits for about 688,000 recipients.Currently, able-bodied adults without dependents and between 18 and 49 can only receive three months of SNAP benefits over three years if they don't meet the 20-hours per week work requirement.Congressional Democrats and advocates for the poor were quick to condemn the administration's actions."They may have barriers including mental health, transportation, and also, just the nature of low wage work; it's often intermittent with unreliable hours," Meredith Cook, of Preble Street, said.The Maine Department of Health and Human Services said it is disappointed in the rule change. Officials estimate that 1,300 Mainers could have their food stamps jeopardized.The new rule takes effect April 1.

WASHINGTON —

The Trump administration is tightening work requirements for the federal food stamp program in a move that will slash benefits for hundreds of thousands of people.

The rule will restrict states from exempting work-eligible adults from having to obtain steady employment to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which feeds more than 36 million Americans.

The Agriculture Department says the change would save $5.5 billion over five years and cut benefits for about 688,000 recipients.

Currently, able-bodied adults without dependents and between 18 and 49 can only receive three months of SNAP benefits over three years if they don't meet the 20-hours per week work requirement.

Congressional Democrats and advocates for the poor were quick to condemn the administration's actions.

"They may have barriers including mental health, transportation, and also, just the nature of low wage work; it's often intermittent with unreliable hours," Meredith Cook, of Preble Street, said.

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services said it is disappointed in the rule change. Officials estimate that 1,300 Mainers could have their food stamps jeopardized.

The new rule takes effect April 1.

Trump administration tightens food stamp work requirements; hundreds of Mainers likely impacted

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