Williams adds to criticism of planned Pa. food stamp asset test

Criticism of Pennsylvania’s prospective food stamp asset test continues with Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams’ introduction of legislation to counteract the testing idea.

SB 1387 would prohibit the implementation of regulations that would penalize Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program recipients.

It’s a response to a plan announced by the state late last year to evaluate SNAP recipients’ assets to determine whether they qualify for assistance. Restrictions would include savings limits between $2,000 and $3,000.

“With so many Pennsylvanians suffering long-term unemployment, implementing an asset limit makes their situation doubly cruel,” Williams said in his announcement. “It is inhumane to invoke fear upon people who are trying to get back on their feet by telling them their safety net will be snatched.”

He criticized the Corbett administration for trying to, “please a narrow band of zealots.”

Philadelphia City Controller Alan Butkovitz has already written to Department of Public Welfare Secretary Gary Alexander and Gov. Tom Corbett encouraging them to ditch plans for the asset test.