An editorial from The Herald-Dispatch
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — The size of the food stamp program doubled in the wake of the Great Recession.
About 26 million people were receiving benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP) in 2007, and by 2013 the total was 47.6 million. The number of recipients has fallen a little over the past two years, but still about 46.5 million people were getting benefits in June.
Contributing to that growth was the decision in most states to waive the work requirements for adults with no dependents. Generally before the recession, low-income, able-bodied adults without children were limited to three months of food stamps, unless they were working at least part time or participating in a job training program. Families with children come under different rules.
