Trump Admin Moves to Close SNAP Loophole

Changes to eligibility would remove three million recipients

Charles Fain Lehman
July 23, 2019 3:10 PM

A new rule, announced Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, seeks to close a long-standing loophole in the federal welfare system. If implemented, the new rule would reduce the number of people receiving welfare benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly referred to as "food stamps").

Democrats Lash Out at Millionaire Food-Stamp Whistleblower

Minnesota man exposed loophole, but Democrats say he committed fraud

Todd Shepherd
June 22, 2019 5:00 AM

Democrats in a House agriculture subcommittee lashed out at a retired millionaire who applied for and received food stamps in an effort to prove that eligibility for the government benefits in his home state of Minnesota were too lax and could be easily exploited.

Millionaire Gets Food Stamps to Prove Eligibility Loophole

Minnesota man says qualifications are too easy in 34 states

Todd Shepherd
June 20, 2019 5:00 AM

The SNAP program is mainly funded by federal dollars, but states create their own rules and distribution mechanisms for the money.

House Ag Chairman: Requiring SNAP Recipients to Work Is ‘Not Going to Happen’

Bethany Blankley - Watchdog.org
March 10, 2019 4:55 AM

The Democratic chairman of the House Agriculture Committee says the Trump administration's policy requiring states to enforce work-requirements for SNAP recipients “isn't going anywhere.”

Republican Governors Prioritize SNAP Work Requirements

Bethany Blankley - Watchdog.org
January 19, 2019 4:55 AM

Prior to the new rules implemented by the Trump administration to strengthen work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), some Republican governor-led states had already begun implementing restrictions and eliminated the practice of submitting “geographic area waivers.”

States, Feds, Offer Conflicting Claims About SNAP Work Requirement Waivers

Bethany Blankley - Watchdog.org
December 2, 2018 4:55 AM

The Trump administration is revising a 22-year-old federal regulation that has enabled states to acquire geographic area waivers exempting able-bodied adults without dependents (ABWDs) from having to work or undergo job training to receive taxpayer-funded food stamp benefits.

Trump Administration Revising Rule That Allows States to Circumvent SNAP Work Requirement

Bethany Blankley - Watchdog.org
November 18, 2018 4:55 AM

The Trump administration is revising a 22-year-old federal regulation that has enabled states, with the help of a left-wing political organization, to acquire waivers exempting able-bodied adults without dependents (ABWDs) from having to work or undergo job training to receive taxpayer-funded benefits such as food stamps.

California Used Loopholes To Keep Thousands on SNAP From Having to Work

Able-bodied adults received work waiver even with record-low unemployment

Charles Fain Lehman
August 21, 2018 12:50 PM

Despite 10-year-low unemployment, California took advantage of loopholes in federal regulation to keep more than 800,000 federal welfare recipients from having to work.

House Passes SNAP Reform With Farm Bill

Changes' future uncertain in the Senate

Charles Fain Lehman
June 22, 2018 10:55 AM

The House of Representatives passed its annual farm spending bill late Thursday afternoon, shepherding through major reforms to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

FGA Report: Food Stamp Work Requirements Help Free Recipients From Government Dependency

Food Bank For NYC Provides Food Pantry And Soup Kitchen To Harlem Families

Michael Carroll - Watchdog.org
May 31, 2018 1:17 PM

A federal farm bill that would have stiffened work requirements on those receiving nutritional help was defeated earlier this month, even as new research argued such requirements would help free aid recipients from government dependency.