Tom Corbett officials ease standards for welfare

After receiving heavy criticism, Gov. Tom Corbett’s administration has relaxed its plan for residents to receive government assistance.

The asset test would determine those who are eligible for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP). Under the proposed guidelines, the limit for regular households would be $5,500, and $9,000 for households with an elderly or disabled member. The previous proposal set a limit of $2,000 for regular households, which would have been the most stringent standards, critics claimed.

The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare submitted the final proposed yesterday to the federal government for approval.

Despite the backtracking, officials insisted that the asset test is necessary.

“Reinstating asset testing to the SNAP program is an important first step toward preserving limited taxpayer resources for the truly needy,” DPW Secretary Gary D. Alexander said in a news release. “The asset test ensures every public dollar we have goes directly to those who need it most.”