Food stamp change concerns advocates for poor in N. Carolina

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — Advocates for the poor are concerned about rule changes threatening food stamp benefits for 110,000 people in North Carolina if they don’t meet work requirements.

The rule change in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program affects able-bodied people ages 18 through 49 with no dependents. It requires them to work, volunteer or attend education or job-training at least 80 hours a month to receive food aid.

The change started this month in 23 counties, with the rest facing the change by July.

Tazra Mitchell is a policy analyst at the left-leaning nonprofit North Carolina Budget and Tax Center. She says the policy is problematic because it applies even if someone’s looking for a job but can’t find one.

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