Nearly 15,000 adults have lost food stamps within the first three months of a new state law taking effect.
The rule requires participants in the state’s FoodShare program to work at least 80 hours a month, or be looking for a job through a state program.
Gov. Scott Walker has defended the policy, saying the measure is doing what it was intended to do: encourage people to get jobs. He noted that it applies to adults who are able to work and who don’t have kids.
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The 15,000 people who were dropped amount to roughly a quarter of those in the program who meet the law’s criteria.
The Wisconsin State Journal first reported on the data, obtained through the state’s open records law. State officials have since posted the information online.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story featuring Associated Press content has been updated with original reporting.
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