Tuesday, January 10, 2012
By Alfred Lubrano, Philadelphia Inquirer
Pennsylvania plans to make the amount of food stamps that people receive contingent on the assets they possess -- an unexpected move that bucks national trends and places the commonwealth among a minority of states.
Specifically, the Department of Public Welfare said that as of May 1, people under age 60 with more than $2,000 in savings and other assets will no longer be eligible for food stamps. For people over 60, the limit is $3,250.
People's houses and retirement benefits would be exempt from being counted as assets. If they own a car, that vehicle also would be exempt, but any additional vehicle worth more than $4,650 will be considered a countable asset.
Anne Bale, a spokeswoman for DPW, said the asset test is a way to ensure that "people with resources are not taking advantage of the food-stamp program," which is funded by federal money.
