{"id":6261,"date":"2015-07-17T14:17:59","date_gmt":"2015-07-17T21:17:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newmexicopbs.org\/productions\/newmexicoinfocus\/?p=6261"},"modified":"2020-06-02T10:06:28","modified_gmt":"2020-06-02T17:06:28","slug":"community-groups-object-to-proposed-snap-work-requirement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newmexicopbs.org\/productions\/newmexicoinfocus\/community-groups-object-to-proposed-snap-work-requirement\/","title":{"rendered":"Community Groups Object to Proposed SNAP Work Requirement"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New Mexico Human Services Department<\/a>\u00a0(HSD) has proposed a new work requirement for people seeking to sign up for assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program<\/a> (SNAP).<\/p>\n

Community groups across the state have publicly criticized the proposed changes, which include\u00a0increasing the age range for the work requirement. HSD told other media outlets recently that the aim is to get more people working or in work training programs.<\/p>\n

NMIF producer Sarah Gustavus sat down this week with George Luj\u00e1n, communication organizer for the\u00a0Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP)<\/a>,\u00a0and\u00a0Allen Sanchez, executive director of the\u00a0New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops<\/a>,\u00a0to hear why their organizations oppose the proposed changes to the SNAP program in New Mexico.<\/p>\n

HSD did not respond to NMIF requests for a representative to join us, but spokesperson Matt Kennicott’s comments\u00a0on the issue were featured in a story that aired this week on\u00a0KUNM –\u00a0Hunger Is Not A Partisan Issue For Some Faith Leaders<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n