ROBESON COUNTY, NC (WBTW) – Some Robeson County food stamp recipients will have to meet certain requirements to keep receiving their benefits starting in 2016.
They are known as ABAWDS (able-bodied adults without minor dependents) and have long been required to work, volunteer or take job-training courses to continue receiving benefits.
Robeson County Crisis Intervention Coordinator Gene Downing says in Robeson County 2800 households may be impacted by that change in food stamp benefits by January 2016.
“If they do not find a job or at least work 20 hours a week, 80 hours a month then after three months of continuous food and nutrition service benefits they will be ineligible to receive for the remainder of the 36 month period,” mentioned Downing.
But some residents say finding a job in Robeson County can be tough.
Mary Faircloth moved to North Carolina from Connecticut. She has been living in Robeson County since January.
“It took my husband probably around two to four months to find a job,” said Faircloth.
Downing says the availability of jobs is going to be the biggest hindrance for a lot of people in Robeson County.
Exemptions to the work requirement include:
- If the recipient is under age 18 or over 49.
- If the person also is receiving unemployment compensation.
- If the person is pregnant, taking part in an alcohol or drug treatment program, or receiving disability
“I do have an older daughter who is collecting food stamps and does not have a dependent with her. I guess I’m going to have to get her motivated to get that disability otherwise she is going to lose what she got,” said Faircloth.
23 counties in North Carolina will see the change go into effect January of 2016.
Robeson County and the remaining others will see the change take effect from February until July of 2016.
