The SNAP program or "foodstamps" as the program used to be known has been growing and growing for much of the last decade. There was a big jump in participation at the start of the Obama years, but that coincided with the major recession that hit the USA. Then, under Obama, the numbers in the program continued to grow even though the recession ended and we got very slow economic growth instead. At that point, a funny thing happened: Obama left office and Trump was elected President. Everything changed.
President Trump and his people made an effort to end fraud and abuse of the food stamp program. A specific group was appointed to try to prevent fraud with regard to food stamps. The requirements for eligibility were not altered, but as the economy improved under Trump, the number of people on food stamps has fallen rapidly. Some people no longer needed the food stamps. Others, who were getting the benefit improperly, were removed from the rolls as well.
Right now, the number of food stamp recipients has fallen to less than twenty million for the first time in a decade. That's a savings of billions of dollars in costs to the federal government.
On top of the improving economy and the enforcement of the legal requirements to get food stamps, the Trump administration has wanted Congress to put a work requirement into the statute. That would mean that those who get food stamps either must work, look for work, or otherwise seek to earn a living if they are able-bodied and not required at home to care for children or family members. Those who cannot find work can alternatively get training for future jobs. The Democrats blocked this requirement so far, but it could get passed in the next Congress.
No one has been hurt by this reduction in the numbers receiving food stamps other than some who were getting help to which they were not legally entitled.
President Trump and his people made an effort to end fraud and abuse of the food stamp program. A specific group was appointed to try to prevent fraud with regard to food stamps. The requirements for eligibility were not altered, but as the economy improved under Trump, the number of people on food stamps has fallen rapidly. Some people no longer needed the food stamps. Others, who were getting the benefit improperly, were removed from the rolls as well.
Right now, the number of food stamp recipients has fallen to less than twenty million for the first time in a decade. That's a savings of billions of dollars in costs to the federal government.
On top of the improving economy and the enforcement of the legal requirements to get food stamps, the Trump administration has wanted Congress to put a work requirement into the statute. That would mean that those who get food stamps either must work, look for work, or otherwise seek to earn a living if they are able-bodied and not required at home to care for children or family members. Those who cannot find work can alternatively get training for future jobs. The Democrats blocked this requirement so far, but it could get passed in the next Congress.
No one has been hurt by this reduction in the numbers receiving food stamps other than some who were getting help to which they were not legally entitled.
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