Food stamp work requirements should be waived for all Ohio counties, advocates say

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Cleveland.com
Food stamp work requirements should be waived for all Ohio counties, advocates say
By Jackie Borchardt, Northeast Ohio Media Group
on August 25, 2014 at 2:57 PM, updated August 26, 2014

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Poverty advocates on Monday called on Gov. John Kasich to reinstate the statewide waiver of work requirements to receive food stamp benefits.

Participants in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can receive up to three months of food stamp benefits within three years. To continue receiving benefits, able-bodied adults without dependents must work or attend job training at least 20 hours per week.

Since 2007, Ohio had requested a statewide waiver because of the economic depression. In 2013, state officials requested and received a waiver of the work requirement for 16 counties, mostly in Appalachian Ohio.

The change caused at least 14 percent of recipients who are able-bodied adults without children to the to lose their benefits. The Ohio Association of Foodbanks, The Ohio Poverty Law Center, the Ohio Council of Churches, UHCAN Ohio, the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio and Policy Matters Ohio said in a statement Monday revoking benefits further prevents individuals from getting and keeping a job....

MORE at http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2014/08/ohio_officials_renew_decision.html