One Million Americans Could Lose Food Stamp Benefits this Year

WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#Hunger–Starting this month, many of the poorest Americans could lose their SNAP
(also known as food stamps) benefits as a controversial three-month time
limit is reimposed. As many as 1 million recipients will reach the
limits for benefits this year.

“Those most affected by this mandate are the poorest of the poor – and
this time limit pushes them even deeper into poverty,” said Eric
Mitchell, director of government relations at Bread for the World. “As
48 million Americans continue struggling to put food on the table, this
is not the time to cut benefits. We should instead be providing job
training and other skills that will help people lift themselves out of
poverty.”

The federally mandated three-month limit on SNAP benefits affects
unemployed adults between the ages of 18 and 49 who are not disabled or
raising minor children. In order to continue receiving benefits, they
must work at least 20 hours a week. Unfortunately, many people who want
to work are unable to find jobs.

The three-month limit was suspended in most states during the Great
Recession. Because the economy has improved, it was reinstated in many
states at the beginning of the year. Several states in the South are
choosing to reimpose the limit even though unemployment remains high and
they would continue to qualify for a waiver.

“Taking away benefits from people who are unable to find work is only
going to make a bad situation worse,” added Mitchell. “This is
particularly true for people living areas that continue to suffer from
high unemployment. Pushing people even further into poverty will not
suddenly help them find nonexistent jobs.”

Bread for the World (www.bread.org)
is a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decision makers to
end hunger at home and abroad.

Contacts

Bread for the World
Chris Ford, 202-688-1077
cford@bread.org