State Requires Welfare Recipients To Work North Carolina just became the most recent state to take actions to combat welfare fraud, introducing a bill in 23 counties that will only grant able-bodied recipients benefits if they work. For adults who are currently receiving support from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that means that they must work, train, or volunteer at least 20 hours per week to continue receiving government support. SNAP was instituted in 2008 during the Great Recession, at a time when work opportunities were limited. Now, around half of the adults who receive the benefits live in the 23 counties selected. That means the bill will affect around 59,000 people. Recipients will have 90 days after the new rule takes effect today to get a job and find work opportunities. Sherry Bradsher, Deputy Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, claims that 80 percent of recipients already have jobs. But for the 20 percent who dont, this bill has major implications. Most of these counties have some infrastructure in place to support these individuals, Bradsher argued. Supporters of the new rule are hopeful that it will inspire recipients to get jobs and cut off dependency on government handouts. What do you think? Do you support this measure? 