A new mandate in Georgia is telling some food stamp recipients to work or face losing their benefits.
The work mandate applies to able-bodied adults without children in Cobb, Gwinnett and Hall counties, but some lawmakers are calling for the work requirements to expand statewide.
In 2015, 1.8 million of Georgians were food stamps recipients, according to the Georgia Department of Human Services.
In Cobb County, over 11 percent of residents were food stamps recipients last year. Of those recipients, over 3 percent are considered to be able-bodied adults without children.
In Gwinnett County, less than 12 percent of residents were food stamp recipients last year. Of those recipients, over 2 percent are considered to be able-bodied adults without children.
In Hall County, over 16 percent of residents were food stamp recipients last year. Of those recipients, less than 2 percent are considered to be able-bodied adults without children.
Both Cobb and Gwinnett's food stamp recipient rates are below the statewide rate of 17.6 percent.
Find the exact numbers for Cobb County and Gwinnett County here.
The new rules are rehashing a longstanding debate on whether government assistance should be tied to work requirements.
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