Monday, September 18, 2017 | 01:53pm
NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Danielle W. Barnes today announced plans to reinstate the federal work requirement for able-bodied adults without dependents in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that was waived in 2008 during the economic recession. With the state’s record low unemployment rates and significant job growth, the waiver is no longer needed across most of the state – but will remain in place in 16 counties designated as economically distressed. Haslam also announced he will propose legislation to the 2018 General Assembly that will incentivize work, reduce fraud and strengthen program integrity in the state’s welfare programs.