Maine food stamp enrollment drops under 200K

AUGUSTA, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- The LePage administration is giving itself a pat on the back, saying its welfare reforms are the reason why Maine's food stamp enrollment is at lowest in nearly four years.

The Department of Health and Human Services said tougher requirements for welfare along with a drop in unemployment have led to more Mainers supporting themselves.

Commissioner Mary Mayhew said, "Our efforts have been about improving this state's economy, attracting employers and keeping employers. They need to have a workforce that is ready, willing and able"

Commissioner Mayhew also cites a drop in unemployment as a sign more Mainers are able to support themselves.

"We need to make sure that our programs and policies in government especially in our department of health and human services, our incentivizing employment," explained Mayhew.

Some changes have been made to welfare eligibility, requiring single adults ages 18-24 to work at least 20 hours a week, volunteer 1 hour a day or attend classes to keep their benefits beyond three months.

"These welfare programs should be a temporary form of assistance. We should always be striving to help people back on to that pathway of employment to help support themselves on that next step," said Mayhew.

Some disagree, however, that the new requirements are helping Mainers.

Policy Director Chris Hastedt with Maine Equal Justice Partners said, "I'm still seeing people who are having difficulty finding work and then finding work where there are reliable schedules, is full-time work and pays a wage that enables them to make it on their own."

According to Hastedt, she has seen more people falling on hard times because of these new policies and the lack of assistance when it comes to helping them find jobs.

Hastedt said, "I hear language that says this is a good thing because it is forcing people to work. People don't need to be forced to work. People need to be helped to find a job."

Food stamp enrollment is expected to drop more once DHHS begins asset testing for some welfare recipients.