11Alive's VERIFY team received an email this week from a viewer in Calhoun asking for clarification about the new Farm Bill and its impact on SNAP - formerly known as food stamp - recipients.
She told 11Alive both Georgia and the federal government sent her notices about new rules regarding able-bodied adults and work requirements.
According to her, the notice cited the recently passed Farm Bill, which included the work requirements. But our viewer said she doesn’t think that’s right. We set our VERIFY team on this issue and learned our viewer was right.
The Farm Bill that passed last month did not include the work requirements. Originally, the bill said able-bodied adults between 18 and 59 with no dependents had to work 20 hours a week. However, that portion of the Farm Bill did not make it into the final bill.
It’s important to note, however, that two dozen Georgia counties already have work requirements for able-bodied adults ages 18 to 49 with no dependents. There are exceptions, of course, including people on disability or those who have other health issues.
So, does the new Farm Bill include work requirements for able-bodied adults with no dependents who get food stamps? 11Alive verified and found that FALSE.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture currently has a proposal that would include work requirements, similar to those in the Farm Bill. But that proposal is still in review mode and won't be approved or denied for another couple of months.