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The recent debt limit deal that was passed includes significant changes to the work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, Yahoo Finance News reported.
Debt Limit Deal: 225,000 Food Stamp Recipients Could Lose Benefits (PHOTO: Washington Examiner)
Debt Limit Deal Effects On Food Stamps
Under the current SNAP regulations, individuals aged 18 to 49 without children are required to work or participate in job training for a minimum of 20 hours per week.
However, the new legislation raises the upper age limit for work requirements to 54. As a result, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) estimates that out of the 750,000 individuals newly subject to these requirements, approximately 225,000 are at risk of losing their food stamp benefits.
While the rule change does provide new waivers for certain groups such as veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and former foster youth, CBPP points out that the majority of those affected by the new rules do not qualify for these waivers.
As a result, individuals with already low incomes, often falling below the poverty line, would be pushed even further into poverty if they lose their SNAP benefits. Katie Bergh and Dottie Rosenbaum of CBPP express concern about the negative impact on those who would be at risk of losing their food assistance.
The necessity of these new rules has been called into question by Ed Bolen, an expert on the food stamps program at CBPP. Bolen emphasizes that such changes are unlikely to balance the budget or make a significant dent in the national debt. In an interview with CNBC, he raises doubts about the effectiveness and purpose of the new work requirements.
READ ALSO: SNAP Benefits In June 2023: Here Are Payment Dates In Every State!
Debt Limit Deal Changes
The debt limit deal’s alterations to the SNAP work requirements have raised concerns about the potential loss of benefits for a significant number of food stamp recipients. As policymakers implement these changes, it is crucial to consider the impact on individuals with already limited financial resources.
While waivers have been provided for certain vulnerable groups, there remains a significant portion of recipients who could face detrimental consequences if they are no longer eligible for food assistance. The long-term implications and effectiveness of these modifications should be carefully examined to ensure that the most vulnerable members of society are not disproportionately affected by the debt limit deal’s provisions.
READ ALSO: SNAP Benefits 2023: Maximum Income Levels To Qualify For Payments
