 Public
Assistance/Food Stamps
The released prisoner may apply for eligibility to receive
food stamps. But since 1996, prisoners with drug convictions
are permanently barred from receiving cash benefits or food stamps
under state welfare programs. States may opt out in part or entirely
from this nonsensical law.
As of January 2004 twenty-nine states have opted to fully
or partially restore welfare assistance to all. That leaves twenty-one
states with a full ban in place denying lifetime benefits to
people with felony drug convictions.
In addition to the irony and unfairness of continuing the
punishment after release, the 1996 ban threatens the availability
of welfare funding for community-based residential treatment,
threatens the continuity of diversion programs for addicted offenders,
thus adding to already high costs of incarceration.
Additionally, and besides eliminating the 'safety net' for
individuals who have 'done their time,' been in recovery, worked
and paid taxes-the food-stamp ban jeopardizes state and local
budgets facing an influx of individuals who will no longer qualify
for federal assistance.
Currently under consideration by the 2004 Washington State
Legislature is Senate Bill 6411 that would allow convicted drug
felons to apply for and receive federally funded food stamps.
SB 6411 should be supported because state law already permits
more serious felons to receive food stamps after release, and
this bill helps remove barriers to successful re-entry.
Informed citizens support SB 6411 and also the more general
legislative proposal called "Act for Hungry Families 2004."
This Act will mandate School Breakfast and Lunch programs in
all elementary schools and increase participation in Summer Food
Programs, according to Washington Citizen Action.
Related Links:
Drug
Offenders: Various Factors May Limit the Impact Of Federal Laws
That Provide For Denial Of Selected Benefits; from GAO,
the Government Accounting Office (PDF Format)
Washington
Citizen Action
After
Prison: Roadblocks To Reentry - A Report On State Legal
Barriers Facing People With Criminal Records; from the Legal Action Resource Center
(Also available in PDF
Format)
Visit the Legal Action Center's Rentry Resource
Links
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