Well, I’m not so sure there is bad news, except for previous slackers who were able to be employed, … but weren’t. So what’s a person to do, who still needs a bit of help? Well, most people don’t remember the days when local churches and food pantries helped those in need, without government interference or mandates. Arkansas is definitely on the right track. Here’s the story of how they plan to handle the transfer.
Anti-hunger advocates in Arkansas are bracing for a rise in the number of people being served by the state’s food pantries as the state begins the process of reducing food stamp (SNAP) benefits for about 30,000 people.
The Department of Health Services has begun sending out letters to SNAP recipients without dependents and whom the state considers to be able-bodied, Arkansas Matters reports. The letters inform recipients that starting on Jan. 1, 2016, benefits will only continue if they meet certain work requirements, without which they will be eligible for benefits for only three months every three years.
Tomiko Townley, a member of the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, said that while she has no problem with having able-bodied people work, she is worried about the state’s ability to correctly identify and notify the 31,000 people who will have to meet work requirements in time.
“That is a huge concern,” she told Arkansas Matters.
“So far, we’ve been able to identify [food stamp beneficiaries] and send out notices without issue,” DHS spokeswoman Amy Webb said.
Townley warned that if the changes are not administered well, food pantries could be overwhelmed by the response.
Food stamp benefits have been a contentious issue at the national and state levels for years, with many states opting to tighten requirements on the program.
Read more at Opposing Views.