The latest deal to avert a U.S. government default, with its new work requirements for welfare programs, illustrates a fundamental flaw in America’s social safety net: It’s far too focused on identifying the worthy, to the detriment of the needy. By official measures, nearly 40 million Americans are living in poverty. Yet not a single […]
welfare
Posted inNation & World
Supreme Court allows Trump policy to deny green cards to immigrants who use public assistance
Lawsuits over the rule will continue, but immigrants applying for permanent residency must now show they wouldn’t be public charges, or burdens to the country.
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Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Money for all: Panel to explore idea of basic income payments for Mainers
A special legislative panel that’s set to hold its first meeting Friday will consider the kind of system that other nations and states are trying to combat poverty.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Asylum seekers welcomed to Maine with a ‘beautiful and wonderful’ July Fourth picnic
Despite a political divide over immigration nationally, large numbers of volunteers donate food, services or time to welcome 150-plus recently arrived asylum seekers sheltering in Portland.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine House votes to relax welfare restrictions on asylum seekers
The bill, which has gained urgency following the surge of asylum seekers to Portland, provides no money but directs DHHS to offer non-citizens welfare ‘within available resources.’
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Mills administration ends ‘ineffective policy’ of putting photos on food stamp cards
The policy established under Gov. Paul LePage encouraged participants to have their photos on their benefit cards.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Bill to restore welfare benefits for non-citizens advances
Several measures pending in the Legislature would reverse policy decisions affecting welfare recipients made by the administration of former Gov. Paul LePage.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Lawmakers consider bills to reinstate asylum seekers’ access to welfare benefits
Welfare reforms pushed by former Gov. Paul LePage and the Republican-controlled Legislature eight years ago eliminated access to some assistance programs for non-citizens.
Posted inLocal & State, Nation & World, News
Opposition mounts to Trump plan to extend work requirement for SNAP benefits
Jared Golden said he might support the change, as long as it doesn’t hurt children or seniors, while Maine’s senators and Chellie Pingree oppose it.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine to triple benefits for some food assistance recipients
The monthly benefits for certain working families that also receive food assistance increase this month.