New Food Stamp Requirements Proposed In Oklahoma

An Oklahoma House subcommittee has advanced a proposal to make qualifying for food stamps more difficult.

The Appropriations and Budget Public Health and Social Services Subcommittee approved the bill from Republican Rep. Sean Roberts without opposition Thursday. The proposal would make anyone with $5,000 or more in cash or in a bank account ineligible for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Roberts says his bill closes a loophole in federal requirements for the program, which focus primarily on a person’s income level. He says someone could win the lottery and still be eligible for food stamps.

Roberts also says he doesn’t intend to take aid from those who need it – but to cut spending on people who can provide for themselves.