LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) - Significant changes are taking place for the SNAP program, previously known as Food Stamps.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as "SNAP", has updated their requirements to be eligible for the benefits. Healthy adults ages 16-64 are now required to work, volunteer, or train for at least 80 hours per month. Veterans, those who are homeless, and former foster children are no longer exempt. At the Allen County Job and Family Services facility, more details were given about these updates.
"What will affect our county is previously anybody under the age of 55 was required to work and now they've changed that to anyone 64 and under is required to work. Previous rules also had anyone with a child in the home under the age of 18 would be exempt. That has now changed to a child in the home under 14," says Deana Basinger, Assistant Director of Allen County Job and Services, Lima.
Basinger adds that these changes were based on statistics. Able-bodied adults, or ABA for short, are required to work in order to receive SNAP benefits. Basinger states that there are job opportunities at their department. For more information, check out the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services website.
