New Mexico work for food stamps requirement is coming back. Starting in October, people in New Mexico, will be required to work for several hours per week in order to receive food stamps.The mandatory work order for the food stamp program, which was in place before the recession is being blasted by Democrats and organizations that help low incomes families.
Governor Susana Martinez, has announced that she is reimposing the order that requires New Mexicans to work in order to benefit from food stamps, now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP.
Over 400,000 people receive the government aide in the state.
The mandatory order existed in New Mexico prior to the recession, but was annulled due to the fact many residents simply could not find jobs.
But now that the economy has been stabilized, the Republican politician who might run in the presidential election in 2016, want her voters back in the work field and volunteering to help others in need.
The Human Services Department said in a statement that work-related requirement for low-income and poor folks was waived temporarily, it was not planned for it to stay in place indefinitely and explained what the system will look like.
Teens who are between 16-17 must attend school or participate in a job training program to get their checks.
People with no children, who are between the ages of 18-59 will have to work 20 hours per week to get food stamps.
As for parents with kids over the age of 6, they must actively search for employment or perform community service to obtain food-purchasing assistance.
Pregnant women, caregivers of children under the age of 6, seniors and disabled people who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are exempted.
The 20-hour work requirement can be waived by obtaining employment, taking part in community service or participating in a job training program.
Organizations and Democrats are slamming Susana Martinez for the proposed job search changes, claiming that she is making it even harder for people living in poverty to put food on their tables.
