More states lift bans on welfare and food stamps for drug offenders
Alabama and Texas are the latest states to lift restrictions on food stamps for drug offenders, part of a growing number of states opting out of a ban enacted by Congress in 1996.
The federal law allows bans on food stamps and welfare for people convicted of state and federal drug offenses, the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) reports. The state opt-outs are allowed under the law.
The decision to lift the food stamp ban by Alabama and Texas follows similar decisions by California and Missouri last year. Alabama went further, allowing former drug offenders to also receive welfare benefits if they submit to drug testing.
A dozen states now allow former drug offenders to receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and nearly two dozen states allow the ex-offenders to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance, according to a report by the Congressional Research Service cited by the Wall Street Journal.
Additional states have partial restrictions on participation that include bans for a set period of years; bans that apply only to people convicted of selling, rather than possessing drugs; and requirements for drug tests.
