States’ New Push: Food Stamp Recipients Must Work or Volunteer

Photo Credit Christopher Campbell

(WASHINGTON)  More and more states are moving to require able-bodied adults to work in exchange for food stamps.
During the last recession, President Obama allowed states to suspend a requirement that able-bodied adults without children work at least 20 hours per week or participate in a training program to receive benefits for more than three months.
Despite a large decrease in the unemployment rate since then, more than 40 states still do not require welfare recipients to work.
That seems to be changing, however, as a new policy went into effect in Mississippi today, requiring residents to work or volunteer 20 hours a week to qualify for food stamps.
Other states are considering similar legislation.
Judge Alex Ferrer explained on “Fox and Friends” that this is an effective way of preventing people from gaming the system and simply avoiding work on the government’s dime.
He explained that it removes the excuse of not being able to find a job, because food stamp recipients can also volunteer and provide community service.