摘要:In fiscal 2000, the Food Stamp
Program provided benefits to
17.2 million low-income Americans,
a level lower than any year
since 1979. Just 6 years earlier, in fiscal
1994, program participation
peaked at over 27 million Americans.
According to recent studies,
the decline in participation was due
in part to a strong economy and in
part to 1996 welfare reform legislation.
This new law, the Personal
Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Reconciliation Act (PRWORA),
made some food stamp participants
ineligible and redesigned the cash
welfare system in ways that may
have further reduced food stamp
participation.