Lifetime Ban on Welfare and Food Stamp Benefits for Individuals with Felony Drug Convictions is Eliminated
Friday, May 07, 2004
- Organization: Pennsylvania Legal Services
A lifetime ban on the receipt of cash and food stamp benefits that was imposed on individuals with felony drug convictions was eliminated in Pennsylvania with the passage of Act 44 in December 2003. The Act, which was signed into law by Governor Rendell, goes into effect on February 21, 2004.
Act 44 allows anyone who was previously under the lifetime ban to get benefits if they are otherwise eligible for the benefits. This means that people have to meet all of the other eligibility requirements for the benefits, including income and resources limits and work requirements.
Recipients also need to be in compliance with everything the criminal justice system has asked of them. This includes having no outstanding bench warrants and being in compliance with probation and parole requirements, including any payment plan for outstanding fees or court costs.
If you were turned down for Cash Assistance or Food Stamps because of a drug conviction, go to your county assitance office and reapply or apply on-line at http://www.compass.state.pa.us/.
