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Do you support SB 7, which limits food stamp eligibility and also creates incentives to hire people on welfare?

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In January the New Hampshire House will vote on SB 7, a bill which limits food stamp eligibility and also creates incentives to hire people on welfare.

A House committee is recommending legislators kill the bill.

Food stamp limits

The first part of SB 7 generally requires the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to use the federal income limits for food stamp eligibility. Right now the federal government allows DHHS take into account a variety of other factors—such as utility costs and high local unemployment—to loosen some of the income and work requirements for food stamps.

Supporters point out that there was a large increase in food stamp enrollment during the Great Recession. Now the economy is improving, the state needs to tighten eligibility rules to ensure that the program is operating efficiently and recipients are motivated to find work.

Opponents argue that roughly 17,000 households will be at risk of losing food stamps if SB 7 passes. Furthermore, since food stamps are federally-funded, decreasing eligibility will not save the state any money.

Granite Workforce program

The second part of SB 7 creates an incentive program for employers to hire parents with income under 200% of the federal poverty level. Employers would receive up to $4,000 for a hire. The program—called Granite Workforce—would be paid for with federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds.

Supporters argue that this program will increase the workforce, subsidize business growth, and help people transition off of welfare. All of this will be paid for with federal—not state—money.

Opponents argue that the Granite Workforce program does not belong in a bill limiting food stamp eligibility. The program is so different from the rest of the bill, it should be voted on separately. Other opponents are concerned that employers will lay off employees after receiving the state subsidy.

Do you support SB 7? Share your opinion in the comments below.

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