TELL YOUR CONGRESSPERSON TO ELIMINATE THE FEDERAL BAN ON FOODSTAMP ELIGIBILITY

Since 1996 federal law has denied some of the poorest and most vulnerable people access to food stamps and therefore, access to a second chance after incarceration. People convicted of felony drug offenses, including possession, use and low-level distribution, are subject to a lifetime ban on food stamps under the welfare reform act.

Representative Barbara Lee's Food Assistance to Improve Reintegration Act (H.R. 329) will eliminate the federal ban on food stamp eligibility for people convicted of a drug felony. Denying food stamp benefits to people convicted of drug offenses is an excessive and ineffective crime control strategy.