State again seeks to tie food stamps to work

The New Mexico Human Services Department is again seeking to change state rules that tie food stamp benefits to work requirements.

Elements of the department’s latest proposal are less strict than previous plans. Yet community groups that have long opposed changes still argue the proposed rules would cause the administration of Republican Gov. Susana Martinez to deny more New Mexicans on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in a state that suffers from some of the highest poverty rates in the nation.

The administration has argued that it is not attempting to deny food stamp benefits to those who need them and that the work requirements will help New Mexicans find employment so they don’t have to rely on the taxpayer-funded program to feed themselves and their families.

The New Mexico Human Services Department last summer tried to change state rules to require parents of children 6 years or older to work a certain numbers of hours per month — either at a job or volunteer program — in order to receive food stamp benefits.

Read more: http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/state-again-seeks-to-tie-food-stamps-to-work/article_a172d3aa-6cc0-5b4f-be99-e2d34745a6d0.html