PA. to stop food stamps to anyone with more than $2,000 in assets (except house and some cars)

[JPZenger]

8. Article: Corbett Change Called Heartless

http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/food-stamps-asset-test-condemned-as-idiotic-heartless-1.1256186#ixzz1jAuaDF9d

from the Scranton PA. Times-Tribune

"The condemnation from area social service providers was as swift as it was universal as the state Department of Public Welfare confirmed Tuesday it plans to deny food stamps to otherwise income-eligible people under 60 with more than $2,000 in savings and other assets. A limit of $3,250 would be set for those over 60.

"It's stupid, idiotic and, quite honestly, heartless," said Gary Drapek, president of the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne counties. "I can't understand it. I can't understand the rationale behind it."

He and other critics decried the policy as another unwarranted assault by Gov. Tom Corbett's administration on the state's working poor and struggling seniors - one that will further stress an already flimsy safety net.

"My immediate reaction was: Who is advising the governor on this?" said Monsignor Joseph P. Kelly, executive director of Catholic Social Services. "I mean, this is terrible public policy. Do we really not want to feed people in the United States of America?"