Food stamp changes coming


Up to 50,000 Indiana residents could be at risk of losing their food stamp benefits this fall.

The impending situation has social service agencies and food pantries bracing for an upswing in people relying on their services.

The change will come when a federal rule goes back into effect in November requiring all able-bodied adults without dependents to work or receive job training in order to qualify for a monthly average of $125 in food stamps.

That work rule was suspended in 2009 because of high unemployment during the recession.

Indiana’s Family and Social Services Administration has notified about 6 percent of Indiana’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients of the change.

Advocates say they’re worried that food pantry demand hasn’t declined and those losing food stamp benefits could strain resources.