Associated Press Published

Over 1,000 West Virginians Will Lose Food Stamps Benefits


Officials say more than 1,000 West Virginians will lose their food stamp benefits starting next month.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports the state Department of Health and Human Resources announced last year that it would reinstate a requirement calling on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients to meet a monthly work or training requirement of 20 hours per week or lose benefits.

The changes took effect in January.

DHHR spokeswoman Allison Adler says an “outreach campaign” was started in October to contact the approximately 7,000 people at risk for losing their benefits.

Adler says on April 15, there were 1,566 cases closed, meaning those individuals will not receive SNAP benefits in May.

She says those individuals may contact their local DHHR before April 30 to have their case reviewed.