Trump signs order for stricter work requirements for SNAP

Trump signs order calling for stricter work requirements for welfare programs

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order asking government agencies to review requirements for a person to receive government assisted programs, like SNAP benefits.

The executive order calls for federal benefit programs to look over and tighten its work requirements to receive welfare.

Melissa Boteach from the Center for American Progress in Washington D.C. believes Trump's plan to limit those on government assistance will hurt those who are employed and still don't make enough money.

There are people who are already working two or three jobs," Boteach said. "There are people who are not able to get the hours or schedules that they need and this just makes it harder for them to meet their basic needs."

For those that run out of SNAP benefits and still need food assistance, they go to places like the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley. The food bank believes people have been moving away from SNAP since the 2008 recession and believes Trump's mission has no basis.

I think [Trump is] working on a lot of myths already," said Omar Rodríguez with the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley. "There's a lot of people that do receive benefits that are already working."

According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report for 2015, 44 percent of SNAP participants lived in a household with someone holding a job.

Trump's order gives various cabinet secretaries 90 days to review the programs that their agencies offer, and from there, they can offer recommendations on changes that should be made.