Food pantries and social service agencies are bracing for an influx of clients this fall when nearly 47,000 Hoosiers could lose access to government food aid.
Able-bodied adults without dependents are now required to work or attend an educational program to qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the latest incarnation of food stamps. The work requirement was suspended in 2009 because of the recession, but it is kicking in once more in states across the country.
Beginning in July, able-bodied SNAP recipients without children are required to show they are working or participating in an approved training program an average of 20 hours per week. If they do not show that they meet the criteria, they could be kicked off the SNAP rolls in November, losing an average of $125 per person each month.
“What we’re worried about from a nonprofit, charitable sector perspective is, what kind of impact will that have on the food pantries, the food banks, the community organizations that are helping people with other needs?” said Lucinda Nord, vice-president of public policy for the Association of United Ways.
In Tippecanoe County, about 707 people could lose benefits under the guidelines, according to data from the Indiana Association of United Ways. That number is 761 for Fountain, Benton, Carroll, Warren, Jasper, Newton, Clinton, Montgomery and White counties combined. In total, $183,500.00 in food aid could be lost each month in Greater Lafayette.