Huge Cut In Food Stamp Program Begins Today

Tens of thousands of unemployed adults will begin losing food stamps today, the result of one the most controversial provisions of the nation’s new welfare law. By year’s end, an estimated 1 million people will have been affected by the measure, marking the largest cut in the 35-year history of the food stamp program.

Under the new policy, able-bodied adults without children or jobs can receive food stamps for only three months in any three-year period. The first wave of those recipients hit the three-month deadline today, meaning they have received their last allotment of food stamps, a benefit worth $120 a month for a single adult.

Of those affected by the provision, 40 percent are women and one-third are 40 years or older, according to the federal government. Adults above the age of 50 are not affected.

“We are encouraging people not to panic, but this is extremely serious, and they need to take advantage of every opportunity to work that is available,” said Yvette S. Jackson, a deputy administrator at the Department of Agriculture.

She said President Clinton has proposed softening the impact and states are “working in earnest” to find jobs or workfare slots for foodstamp recipients.