There is legislation in the state House this session aimed at getting people off public assistance and into the workforce.
House Bill 1 is the Republican majority’s top priority for 2020 and is a product of findings by a legislative task force.
Representative Walker Thomas of Hopkinsville supports the measure and notes it would eliminate cash back from an EBT purchase.
He says there would be harsh penalties for anyone found guilty of committing fraud and it would further limit what you can buy with a card.
House Bill 1 also addresses the so-called “benefit cliff,” a scenario where individuals can lose all benefits from just a slight increase in income, which could discourage some recipients from looking to work more or find higher wages.
The legislation includes a work requirement for those drawing food stamp benefits unless they are caring for a child in their household.