Pennsylvania plans asset test to regulate use of food stamps

On the heels of news that a Schuylkill County pilot program will issue drug tests to some Pennsylvania welfare recipients, word now comes that the state Department of Public Welfare plans to implement an asset test to regulate food stamp use.

Basic guidelines would stipulate that anyone under 60 with more than $2,000 in savings and assets, and anyone 60 or older with more than $3,250 in savings and assets would not qualify for food stamps.
The full report in today’s Inquirer outlines the plan meant to reduce waste and limit food stamp fraud. Under the plan, which is set to take effect May 1, recipents’ houses and retirement benefits would not count as assets, nor would ownership of one car.