Food aid in jeopardy for more North Carolina healthy adults

By GARY D. ROBERTSON
Associated Press

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — The North Carolina legislature wants certain unemployed adults to meet work or training requirements again or miss out on food stamp benefits.

The General Assembly passed bills before going home last week that tell Gov. Pat  McCrory’s administration to no longer seek exceptions from the federal government for healthy adults ages 18 to 49 without dependents. One of the bills remains on McCrory’s desk.

If it becomes law then by next July these recipients statewide would have to work, train or volunteer at least 20 hours week to retain benefits after three months.

Sen. Ralph Hise of Spruce Pine says ending the waiver will encourage self-reliance and help displaced workers avoid gaps in resumes. Critics say it will lead to more hunger and harm rural workers disproportionally.

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