Job training required for thousands of food stamp recipients

For 19 years, Louisiana has had a federal waiver of a requirement that childless adults aged 18 to 49 must work at least 20 hours per week or be enrolled in a job training program to receive food stamps through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP.

About 47,000 food stamp recipients — who get a maximum of $194 in assistance each month — are estimated to be affected by the new job training requirements, according to the Department of Children and Family Services, which oversees the state's SNAP program.

The governor's office said the workforce commission, the family services department and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System will work together to place the food stamp recipients in available job search and skills training programs.

Beginning in July, the non-working, childless food stamp recipients will have to go in person to one of 59 existing state Business and Career Solution Centers for job search assistance and referrals to available adult education programs.