Federal Court Blocks USDA From Making Colorado Recertify Food Stamp Recipients

A federal judge on March 16 affirmed an earlier order blocking the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from forcing Colorado to recertify low-income families on food stamps, or risk losing the food assistance benefits. USDA said it sought recertification of the eligibility of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to combat fraud. SNAP, also known as the food stamp program, is a federal program under which USDA provides financial assistance on a monthly basis to low-income individuals and families to buy food. Benefits are loaded onto an electronic benefits card that works like a debit card and can be used at authorized retailers and grocery stores....