A rule change by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will potentially harm food-insecure Americans who rely on food stamps, including as many as 5,204 Vermont households
Starting in the spring of 2020, it's predicted that 668,000 men and women will lose aid from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), otherwise known as food stamps. Revised rules will make it harder for states to waive work requirements for recipients who are single, between the ages of 18 to 39, childless and without a disability. Individuals in this category will be required to work at least 20 hours/week for three months during a period of 36 months.
Addition revisions include altering the way 40 states automatically enroll families into SNAP when they receive other forms of federal aid and a new cap on deductions made for housing and utility costs, which are considered when a person applies for food stamps.
State Attorney General T. J. Donovan has spoken out vigorously against the rule changes that he said will put 68% of Vermonters participating in 3 Squares Vermont, the State’s SNAP program, at risk of losing this benefit.
Side note:
- Recipients of 3SquaresVT may call 1-800-479-6151 if they've any questions about how they'll be affected by the rule change.