SNAP benefits

The recent legislative changes within President Donald Trump’s tax-and-spending cuts package introduce work requirements to maintain eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Despite efforts to exempt them, these new rules apply to former foster youth. 

Advocates and foster youth leaders pleaded with lawmakers to reinstate a hard-earned exemption for their impoverished peers, who can experience major adversity in early adulthood.

Food stamp requirements will tighten Friday, but lawmakers made exceptions for former foster youth aged 18 to 24 — if states can find them.

Both houses of Congress return this week, a traditional return made later by the two political conventions.  As a result, congressional action for the fall session is likely to be one of the shortest with September days limited by the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah (September 16) and Yom Kippur (September 25) and the desire to leave Washington for the campaign before October begins.

Both houses of Congress return this week, a traditional return made later by the two political conventions.  As a result, congressional action for the fall session is likely to be one of the shortest with September days limited by the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah (September 16) and Yom Kippur (September 25) and the desire to leave Washington for the campaign before October begins.