The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) announced that they will no longer be enforcing the asset test to determine eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), more commonly known as Food Stamps.
The asset test was put in place during the Corbett administration under the leadership of former Department of Public Welfare Secretary Gary Alexander. Consideration for second vehicles and other assets were added when considering eligibility for SNAP benefits. The move was decried by several groups, including PFMA, as unenforceable and unnecessarily contributing to the cycle of poverty.
The evidence for dissolving the asset test built up regularly during the three years of its enforcement. According to DHS, less than one percent of recipients were disqualified as a result of the asset test. It also confused applicants resulting in large error rates, and it placed an expensive administrative burden on DHS and county assistance offices.
The asset test was put in place during the Corbett administration under the leadership of former Department of Public Welfare Secretary Gary Alexander. Consideration for second vehicles and other assets were added when considering eligibility for SNAP benefits. The move was decried by several groups, including PFMA, as unenforceable and unnecessarily contributing to the cycle of poverty.
The evidence for dissolving the asset test built up regularly during the three years of its enforcement. According to DHS, less than one percent of recipients were disqualified as a result of the asset test. It also confused applicants resulting in large error rates, and it placed an expensive administrative burden on DHS and county assistance offices.
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