The Trump administration proposes a new rule to tighten food stamp restrictions that would affect more than three million people.
US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said about 3.1 million would be cut from the benefits.
43 US states currently allow residents to become eligible for food stamps through SNAP or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program if they receive benefits from TANF or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
However, the agency wants to require those who receive benefits from TANF to pass a review of their assets and income to see if they are eligible for free food from SNAP.
The move would save the government $2.5 billion per year by removing three million people from the program.
President Donald Trump has said that many Americans availing SNAP do not need it and should be removed to save taxpayers up to $15 billion.
USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue told reporters: “Some states are taking advantage of loopholes that allow people to receive the SNAP benefits who would otherwise not qualify and for which they are not entitled.”
SNAP provides free food to about 40 million Americans. Speaker Nancy Pelosi slammed the move as ‘callousness.’
She said in a statement: “The Administration’s latest act of staggering callousness would steal food off the table of working families and hungry children, and dismantle proven pathways out of poverty for millions.point 286 |
This proposal perfectly showcases the Republicans’ cynical special interest agenda that gives billion-dollar handouts to big corporations and the wealthy few, and then steals from children, veterans, seniors and working families to make up the difference.point 222 |
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The USDA will accept public comment on the proposed change.
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