Thousands in Metro ATL to lose food stamps (find a job, transportation)

[fieldm]

The work mandate applies to able-bodied adults without children in Cobb, Gwinnett and Hall counties. Begun in January, the pilot program states that these adults can collect food stamps for only three months in a three-year period, unless they get into a job or training program.

Already a key state lawmaker is calling for the work requirements to be applied statewide.“It’s not just going after poor people,” Clark said. “We have to find a way to motivate them.”

But some social service providers suspect the initiative is aimed at thinning the food stamp ranks. Even opponents of the new rules acknowledge that the public largely expects that an able-bodied, childless adult receiving public assistance should look for work, and that the government should demand that.The latest: Friday marks the first deadline for these recipients to find work. The state expects as many as 5,000 of these recipients in the three counties will lose their food stamps.

What’s next: A key lawmaker has called for the work requirements to be applied statewide.

Food stamp numbers

Number of food stamp recipients in Georgia — 1.8 million.

Number of food stamp recipients in Gwinnett, Cobb and Hall — 224,321

Number of able-bodied, childless adults on food stamps in Georgia — 111,000

Number of able-bodied, childless adults on food stamps in Gwinnett, Cobb and Hall — 5,818

Number of able-bodied, childless adults on food stamps who could lose their benefits — up to 5,000

Thousands in Georgia to lose food stamps | www.myajc.com

[ATLTJL]

Lame.

Unless the government is going to guarantee employment for these people.

It's possible to look for work and not be able to find it. Especially if you are on food stamps, because that means you're more likely to have mental health issues, a criminal record, and just be plain old dim witted (sorry, I don't know the politically correct way to say that....) All of these factors make it harder to find a job.

And we're only talking about food stamps here, not cell phones or cash allowances. Everybody is entitled to be able to eat.

[fieldm]

They can volunteer 30 hours per week if they cant find a job

[wasel]

Originally Posted by ATLTJL

Lame.

Unless the government is going to guarantee employment for these people.

It's possible to look for work and not be able to find it. Especially if you are on food stamps, because that means you're more likely to have mental health issues, a criminal record, and just be plain old dim witted (sorry, I don't know the politically correct way to say that....) All of these factors make it harder to find a job.

And we're only talking about food stamps here, not cell phones or cash allowances. Everybody is entitled to be able to eat.

They don't have to have a job, they just have to be enrolled in a state program that helps them look for work, or a program that provides job training skills.

[ATLTJL]

Oh, ok...that's fair, then.

[AnsleyPark]

Hmmm. I have mixed feelings on this proposal. What's next, medicare? This could be a very slippery slope. I'm all for motivating folks to find jobs, but, again, hmm.

[samiwas1]

A large portion of people who collect food stamps already have jobs. But, in 2016 America, jobs just don't pay enough to sustain someone in many instances. Hell, you can work full time at Wal-Mart and make less than $18,000.

It will be interesting to see how successful this program actually is. Sounds like another "drug testing for welfare" fiasco.

[Ant131531]

Originally Posted by samiwas1

A large portion of people who collect food stamps already have jobs. But, in 2016 America, jobs just don't pay enough to sustain someone in many instances. Hell, you can work full time at Wal-Mart and make less than $18,000.

It will be interesting to see how successful this program actually is. Sounds like another "drug testing for welfare" fiasco.

Well this doesn't affect people who have jobs or children. Only able-bodied adults who don't have jobs or don't volunteer and have NO children.

[Mattie]

Originally Posted by fieldm

They can volunteer 30 hours per week if they cant find a job

I'm sure lack of transportation is an issue in many cases. If they can't get to a job, they won't be able to get to a volunteer position either.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by fieldm

They can volunteer 30 hours per week if they cant find a job

Volunteering 30 hours a week is same as having a full time job, except you don't get paid anything.