About 60K Adults Must Meet Work Requirements for Food Aid

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — About 60,000 poor South Carolinians could lose their government food assistance this summer if they don’t meet work requirements.

The state Department of Social Services says South Carolina’s exemption from work-for-food requirements ends April 1.

Falling unemployment in South Carolina and other states triggered a rule change in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

It applies to “able-bodied adults” ages 18 through 49 with no children or other dependents at home. They must work, volunteer or attend education or job-training courses at least 80 hours a month to receive food aid. If they don’t, their benefits will be cut off after three months. They wouldn’t be eligible again until April 2019.

DSS estimates the rule affects 60,000 of the nearly 780,000 adults receiving the aid better known as food stamps.