Articles Posted in Food Insecurity

Last month, the Trump Administration announced a new rule to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – popularly known as “food stamps.”  The Department of Human Services runs the program.  Local Division of Family and Children Services can provide onsite help.

This rule requires able-bodied adults without dependents to show proof of work.  The new rule works like this:  all food stamp recipients are subject to a work requirement (unless they meet certain exemptions).  Anyone who receives food stamps can only get them for three months in a 36 month period unless the person meets the work requirement.  People exempted from these rules are pregnant women, people with a dependent child in the household and people unable to work due to a disability.  Work is defined as an average of 20 hours a week.  Work can include hours in lieu of pay for rent etc.  Participation in a workfare program or work training program counts.

In Georgia, there were approximately 1.3 million people on food stamps in 2019.  In that number, only about 120,000 were classified as “able-bodied” according to the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute.   Seventy percent of food stamp recipients are families with dependent children.  The income limits for food stamps are as follows:  $1354 in gross income for a household of 1; $1832 for a household of 2; $2311 for a household of 3; and $2790 for a household of 4.  The graph for the income requirements can be found at igeorgiafoodstamps.com.    The average monthly benefit is $121 per person.