WASHINGTON (AP) – The Trump administration is considering a plan that would allow states to require mandatory drug testing for some food stamp recipients.
If adopted, the plan would give a win to conservatives seeking to make cuts to the safety net program.
An administration official briefed on the plan said it would be narrowly targeted, applying mostly to people who are able-bodied, without dependents and seeking some specialized jobs.
The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said roughly 5 percent of participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program could be affected.
The drug testing proposal is another step in the administration’s push to allow states more flexibility in implementing federal programs for the poor.
It also wants to allow states to tighten work requirements for food stamp recipients.
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