Thousands in Ohio will lose food stamp benefits under new rules [View all]

The cruelty of this just astounds me.

COLUMBUS — Thousands of impoverished Ohioans without dependents will lose their food stamp benefits as federal officials tighten work requirements on some able-bodied adults.

The change was announced Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, at the direction of President Donald Trump, in a bid to make Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits “assistance through difficult times, not a way of life.” The program feeds more than 36 million people.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said the rule will help move people “from welfare to work.”

“We want to encourage people by giving them a helping hand, but not an infinitely giving hand,” he said.

Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, executive director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks, criticized the move.

“It’s going to be catastrophic,” she said.

(snip)

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, blasted the change. “I don’t understand the mean spiritedness of these billionaires in the White House and in the cabinet,” he said.

“The fact is what they don’t know, because I’m guessing they don’t know any food stamps beneficiaries, is that most people who get food stamps in this country already have jobs,” he added. “They’re making $9 and $10 an hour because employers are not paying them livable wages and they’re eligible for food stamps as a result.”

More:

https://www.the-daily-record.com/news/20191204/thousands-of-ohioans-to-lose-food-stamps