TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – A Kansas House committee is reviewing a new
policy that reduced or cut off food stamp benefits to hundreds of
U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants.
The Appropriations Committee was planning Monday to question
Michelle Schroeder, public policy director for the Kansas
Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services.
An SRS policy enacted Oct. 1 changed how household incomes are
calculated for determining eligibility for food stamps. SRS
officials have said the change ended a practice that favored
families with illegal immigrants.
Legislators say they’re sympathetic to the goal, but some say
the state could attack the problem without cutting off food stamps
to children.
SRS says about 2,000 children have lost food stamp benefits
since Oct. 1.