Food Stamps, Work Now Linked

A new federal food stamp work requirement for able-bodied adults between 18 and 50 went into effect today, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

It affects anyone between those ages without dependent children and who are mentally and physically capable of working.

To receive stamps, they must work for 80 hours or more in a month, or they must take part in a specified employment or training program for 20 hours or more per week. The third alternative is a workfare program on community service projects.

Adults in the food stamp system who do not meet the work requirement will be eligible for stamps for only three months in a three-year period.

Exemptions to the rules include: pregnant women; those caring for an incapacitated person; and students enrolled at least half of their time in any recognized school, training program or institution of higher education.

Also exempted are applicants for supplemental security income; participants in a drug or alcohol treatment program; those receiving unemployment benefits; and recipients of Aid to Families with Dependent Children benefits who are involved in that system’s training network.