As many as 31,000 Louisiana food stamps recipients could lose their benefits this summer. April 1st marks the beginning of a new Trump administration rule requiring some recipients to meet stricter work requirements to continue receiving benefits for more than three months within a 36-month period. DCFS Secretary for Family Support Sammy Guillory says those that fit a certain category might lose food stamp eligibility.
“People who are 18-49, not living with a child, and not disabled,” said Guillory.
Fourteen parishes, most of them in northeast Louisiana, will not be affected by the changes, because they have an unemployment rate much higher than the national average. The new restrictions cover able-bodied adults between the ages of 18 and 49 and do not have children living with them. Guillory says notices for impacted recipients will go out later this month.
“We’re going to communicate with the recipients especially those 31,000 and it’s possible that they may need an exemption that we just don’t know about on our system at this time, so we’ll have to look at every case in April,” said Guillory.
Guillory says for those impacted, the clock begins ticking April 1.
“No one is going to lose benefits until July at the earliest, so you can still receive April, May, and June,” said Guillory.
The changes to the food stamp program is an attempt by the Trump administration to reduce government spending, but there are concerns it will lead to increased homelessness and health problems.
