President Donald Trump has proposed a new rule that could impact Hoosiers who need food assistance.  As Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Jill Sheridan reports, it could limit the abilities of states to ask for a waiver to the program’s work requirements.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP, requires able bodied adults without dependents to work at least 20 hours a month.

But states may apply for a waiver that can keep people from losing benefits.

Feeding Indiana’s Hungry executive director Emily Weikert Bryant says Indiana isn’t currently using a waiver for the work requirement, but has in the past.

“Should the economy change, which does so cyclically, this gives the state the ability and flexibility to be responsive in times of higher unemployment,” she says.

She says thousands of Hoosiers might lose assistance if the rule was adopted and Indiana couldn’t get a waiver.

“This often will impact folks in rural communities where there won’t necessarily be a lot of new opportunities for employment,” says Weikert Bryant.

The Trump administration says waivers weaken a state’s ability to help people help themselves.

The rule would not apply to the elderly, disabled or pregnant women. There are currently 700,000 Hoosiers on SNAP, a number that has been declining.

There is a public comment period for the proposed rule.