News
News

Georgia expected to lift food stamp ban

By Craig Schneider
April 26, 2016

Gov. Nathan Deal is expected to sign a bill Wednesday lifting the state’s lifetime ban on food stamps for convicted drug offenders after they are released.

The state would opt out of a federal lifetime ban on food stamps for those convicted of a drug-related felony.

The assistance is aimed at keeping felons from returning to prison.

Georgia is among a few states that still have the ban.

The bill is part of broader legislation to reform the state’s criminal justice system. The other measures would allow first-time offenders a chance to seal their court records and overhaul the state’s troubled probation system.

About the Author

Craig Schneider
More Stories

Keep Reading

Chairman Jason Shaw presides over a meeting of the Georgia Public Service Commission in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Gray for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

PSC won’t delay key Georgia Power vote after Democrats’ election wins

The Georgia Public Service Commission has rejected a bid to delay a key vote on whether to allow Georgia Power to execute a historic expansion of its generation fleet.

Clapping out the paper: A farewell to ink, deadlines and the print AJC

Beginning on Jan. 1, this 157-year-old institution will become a fully digital news operation. No more paper. No more ink-stained fingers. No more paper in your driveway.

DeKalb ambulance provider to receive $77 million contract despite struggles

County officials say ambulance provider AMR has made progress on response times and that the new subsidy should help.

The Latest

ajc.com

Credit: AJC

LISTEN

‘It’s UATL’: Fire and Ice: The Joy Goddess of Harlem

1h ago

PSC won’t delay key Georgia Power vote after Democrats’ election wins

A.M. ATL: Any takers?

Featured

Prosecutor Skandalakis has previously suggested that pursuing criminal charges against President Donald Trump may not be feasible until after he leaves office in 2029. (Craig Hudson/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images

Prosecutor takes helm of Georgia case against Trump. But will he move forward?

A veteran Georgia prosecutor will decide the fate of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' election interference case against Donald Trump and his allies.

With some solar power tax breaks expiring, Georgians rush to catch the sun

Georgia solar installers say they’re seeing a surge of customers trying to install rooftop solar systems before federal tax credits go away at the end of the year.

‘Automatic for the People’: Weaver D’s still bonds Athens as era nears end

After feeding everyone from R.E.M. to Brian Kemp, and coining a phrase that went global, Dexter Weaver is preparing to close his storied Athens soul food restaurant.