WASHINGTON — Cuts to the nation’s food stamp program enacted this year are only affecting four states, far from the sweeping overhaul that Republicans had pushed, an Associated Press review has found. As a result, it’s unclear whether the law will realize the estimated $8.6 billion in savings over 10 years that the GOP had […]
food stamps
Posted inMaine
Advocates decry LePage proposal to meet federal work requirements for food stamps
AUGUSTA — A proposed rule change by Gov. Paul LePage that could see about 12,000 food stamp recipients lose eligibility for the program on Jan. 1 was decried by advocacy groups Tuesday during a public hearing held by the Department of Health and Human Services. Representatives from various soup kitchens and food pantries, as well […]
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Posted inLetters
J. Baird: Work requirement just common sense
It is about time that Gov. LePage and officials at the Department of Health and Human Services followed the federal guidelines requiring work, training or volunteering in order to receive what was formerly known as food stamps. Years ago, when people came to Ellis Island, N.Y., they didn’t depend on food stamps — they worked. […]
Posted inLetters
G. Bennett: Maintain work requirement
I commend officials of the Department of Health and Human Services for not asking for a waiver to eliminate the work requirement for Food Stamps. I am afraid that the Democrats I have seen on the news do not understand that it is a federal requirement (as it should be). It is not wrong for […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Paul Ryan pitches plan to combine anti-poverty plans into one aid package
See also: LePage wants to impose work requirement for food stamps WASHINGTON — Rep. Paul Ryan proposed a new plan Thursday to merge up to 11 anti-poverty programs into a single grant program for states that he said would allow more flexibility to help lift people out of poverty. Programs that would be merged include […]
Posted inMaine
Mayhew: Work requirement for food stamps not punitive
AUGUSTA — After a five-year break, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services plans to once again require childless adults to work in order to receive help through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps. The department announced Wednesday that it will require work, public service or job training for […]
Posted inMaine
Short-staffing at DHHS blamed for delays in delivering food stamp benefits
AUGUSTA — The Department of Health and Human Services blames short-staffing for a delay in its delivery of supplemental food benefits to eligible low-income Mainers. DHHS spokesman John Martins, who could not immediately identify how many recipients are being affected by the problem, said the backlog affects people involved in the annual renewal process, which […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine, sj-web
Federal farm bill to impact potato, dairy, blueberry industry in Maine
PRESQUE ISLE — President Barack Obama on Friday signed a $956 billion farm bill that is expected to give a boost to farmers in Maine but includes cuts to the food stamp program. Obama signed the bill at Michigan State University during a speech in which he spoke of the benefits of a thriving agricultural […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Oxford Hills
Local farmers hear from federal agriculture official
NORWAY — Passage of the Farm Bill will be critical to ensure the continuation of small farms across Maine and the country, USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Edward Avalos told a group of local farmers Friday morning. “It’s not fair for Congress to keep farmers and ranchers hostage,” he said. “If Congress […]