Some Kentuckians Risk Losing SNAP Benefits in Debt-Ceiling Talks
Monday, May 22, 2023
More than 17,000 Kentuckians could lose food assistance when pre-pandemic SNAP work requirements go back into effect this summer, for adults between ages 18 and 49.
That’s on top of a proposal House Republicans are pushing in the debt-ceiling bill in Congress that would implement work requirements for people up to age 55.
Groups working to fight hunger say the combination could trigger a food insecurity crisis.
Cassidy Wheeler, advocacy coordinator for the nonprofit Feeding Kentucky, said the Commonwealth ranks second nationwide for food insecurity among people in their 50s.
She said rural communities left behind in the tech era have made finding employment difficult.
“We have a lot of blue-collar workers here in Kentucky,” said Wheeler, “who maybe have worked in factories their whole lives, farmed, or they’ve done some sort of physically intensive job that they’re not able to do anymore. And they may not have the skill set now, to transition into a different field.”
Backers of work requirements say it’s one way to reduce fraud and trim the budget by providing aid only to those who need it most.
Anyone concerned about their eligibility should call the Department of Community Based Services at 1-885-306-8959 or visit the Kentucky SNAP Benefits website through ‘kynect.ky.gov.’
According to an American Economic Association study, work reporting requirements could mean more than half of a state’s SNAP participants losing assistance – and are most likely to affect people without stable housing.
Wheeler added that many older Kentuckians are living with conditions that make it challenging to meet work requirements, but they don’t qualify for disability benefits.
“Taking away someone’s SNAP benefits is not going to make them find a job faster or easier,” said Wheeler. “They will just be hungry while they’re doing it.”
The Kentucky Center for Economic Policy estimates more than 9,000 people in 39 counties, largely in eastern Kentucky, would be exempt from reporting work hours due to higher-than-average unemployment rates.
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If they would stop all illegals coming from Mexico coming here that would help more than anything. Americans don’t stand a chance any more!! I always thought Americans came first but evidently not. President Biden needs to get his priorities straight. Been nothing but chaos since he got in office. I think I speak for all Americans
Fay you don’t speak for everybody need to stop watching Fox News they have been proven as liars already.
https://ncoa.org/article/can-i-get-food-stamps-a-non-citizens-guide-to-snap-benefits
Illegals don’t qualify for snap.a person has to be a us citizen or have a green card for at least 5 years.
Faye, I agree. The words you speak are exactly what’s on the minds of the average everyday hard working American. We are sick of it.
Stop watching Fox News and get your head out of the ground
Nothing wrong with working to get food stamps. Not affecting age 55+ but there are many of those who can work too.
Should have happened a long time ago.
There are an absolute ton of jobs out there right now. Almost every employer is short handed. There is no excuse. Cut 17k off snap and get them back to paying taxes like the rest of us.
OK, watch NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC news, the filtered woke liberal view supressing all other views besides their liberal agenda propaganda. Fox is the leading new program in the country. Fox News Digital finished first quarters Number 1 news brand across key metrics, topping CNN, New York Times, The Washington Post, Wall St. Journal, ABC News, CBS News and NBC News. Sounds like more people are getting the facts when they watch Fox News.
Then Keeping it real why did Fox pay $787.5 million for lying to you? And Keeping it real there is another lawsuit in the courts at a sum of $2.6 billion for the same lie the election was stolen. I will give Fox credit they know their audience are gullible believe anything they tell them.
I realize Fox News is nothing but lies and Republican propaganda but really who cares if children and old people go hungry. We need to concentrate on more tax breaks for the rich, promoting more hate for women, immigrants, gays and especially transgender people.
It’s obvious from the comments here that the Republican bull$hit machine is in full swing. Hate hate hate, it’s the only way!
According to the Federation for American Immigration Reform , illegal immigration costs American taxpayers around 182 billion per year.