Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Diamond_Dog

(31,989 posts)
Fri Jun 11, 2021, 03:11 PM Jun 2021

More "compassion" from the Ohio GOP

You know whenever a Republican talks about “reforming” a safety net program to make it “more secure” the basic idea is to add an extra layer of cruelty.

May be a paywall here

https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2021/06/11/ohio-senate-budget-bill-food-assistance-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program/7647949002/

*****

Ohioans who receive food assistance would have 30 days to notify the program of a change in income that was more than $500. Parents would have to cooperate "with the child support enforcement program" as a condition of eligibility. And the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services would have to "conduct an asset test for each SNAP recipient."

Another issue Hamler-Fugitt had with proposed changes was child support. Requiring women — some of whom are victims of domestic violence — to seek a formal agreement is going to push them out of the system.

"These families have just cause for not pursuing a formal child support arrangement," Hamler-Fugitt said.

****
They want to perform a new and more complicated “asset test” on recipients, as well. More bureaucracy on top of bureaucracy. Is their point to make entry into the program so daunting that many needy families will say it’s too difficult to apply for?

Money for SNAP comes from the federal government and it has already been determined that people below the 130% of poverty level qualify. Yes the state bears some cost of administration of those funds, but does not bear the total cost. Changing over to the debit card system has cut down considerably on fraud. Many of the people who are in need of food assistance are children, the elderly, or disabled.

If Republicans want to get people off food assistance, they are going about it the exact wrong way. How about fighting to ensure all workers make a living wage so businesses don’t have to use the government to subsidize worker pay, instead of making assistance programs more convoluted, or choking off who can apply, or making up a cruel requirement to single moms.



4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
More "compassion" from the Ohio GOP (Original Post) Diamond_Dog Jun 2021 OP
Parents would have to cooperate "with the child support enforcement program" Fullduplexxx Jun 2021 #1
I'm Florida it means you have to file for child support. Phoenix61 Jun 2021 #3
Unbelievable yet it is the repigs Duncanpup Jun 2021 #2
This fits with the rest of the fun things they are doing in the legislature ladym55 Jun 2021 #4

Phoenix61

(17,003 posts)
3. I'm Florida it means you have to file for child support.
Fri Jun 11, 2021, 03:50 PM
Jun 2021

The state will pursue getting it. Actually not a bad thing as a lot of single parents don’t have the money to hire an attorney to get child support awarded or back child support paid. I’m not sure what they do in the case of DV.

ladym55

(2,577 posts)
4. This fits with the rest of the fun things they are doing in the legislature
Fri Jun 11, 2021, 06:14 PM
Jun 2021

The Ohio Senate wants a 5% tax cut ... the House "only" 2%

I read yesterday that they want to get rid of all those pesky regulations for day cares. Those cost operators money, and we need more slots. Who cares if the kids are safe and not abused, right?

Today I read that they also want to roll back regulations for skilled care facilities. So onerous!

We are governed by mole people here in Ohio.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Ohio»More "compassion" from th...