Associated Press Published

W.Va. Report: $55M in Welfare Programs Spent out of State

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A West Virginia report says $55 million in two welfare programs was spent out of state in a year.

The House released the Department of Health and Human Resources report Wednesday at Republican Del. Jill Upson’s request.

The report says that of $457.2 million in benefits, $52.5 million was spent out of state on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps, from November 2014 through October 2015.

Neighboring Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia comprised 90 percent.

About $1 million was spent in North Carolina and Florida each.

Of $29.5 million in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits over that timeframe, $2.2 million was spent out of state.

Under federal regulation, federally funded SNAP can be used at approved grocers outside the state.