White House Reduces Food Stamp Program Despite Coronavirus Pandemic

The administration of US President Donald Trump has taken another step in its plan to tighten work requirements for those receiving food stamps - even in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, writes Independent.

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People who need to stay home to stop the spread of the disease may be forced to go to work to maintain their benefits. If they stay at home, they may be expelled from a program that helps these people eat.

The Latino Victory Group has called this move "unscrupulous." At a March 17 congressional hearing, Georgia spokesman Sanford Bishop called the decision "particularly cruel."

The Supplemental Food Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps or food stamps, and still widely used, is implemented by the Department of Agriculture. Approximately 35 million Americans use SNAP benefits for food in stores.

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The Department confirmed that it intends to continue to implement its plans to meet more stringent job requirements starting April 1. Sonny Purdue, head of the Department of Agriculture, said he would not delay the introduction of this rule, citing the fact that states have the ability to remove allowance restrictions for people affected by coronavirus.

“Obviously, if you can't come to work or are sick, that good reason would eliminate the need for a work requirement under this rule,” Perdue said. “That decision will be left to the discretion of the states.”

There is debate about how many people will be affected by the policy change. Unemployed working-age adults without dependents or disabilities who might be affected by the new rule make up about 7% of Americans enrolled in SNAP—roughly 2,4 million people.

The White House estimates that it will affect 700 people, but Buzzfeed News reports that Lauren Bauer, an employee at the Brookings Institution, has access to data from all 000 states and is projected to reach 50 million.

All these figures preceded the emergence of coronavirus in the United States, and this means that self-quarantine, the closure of the business and the economic downturn will significantly increase this figure.

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On March 12, Purdue also made a school nutrition statement related to the coronavirus pandemic.

“This is a time for us all to remain vigilant, come together and do what is right for the American people. At USDA, we are working to ensure children impacted by school closures continue to receive meals. We intend to use all available flexibilities and program contingencies to serve individuals affected by the outbreak,” he said.

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