According to the Marshall Project, “drug-war-era bans on benefits are [being] lifted” as the number of states still denying federal benefits to former drug felons is shrinking.
18 states have completely abandoned the federal prohibition on drug offenders receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or food stamps, while 26 other states have partly eased those restrictions by often providing the benefits only if the recipient complies with parole, does not commit a second offense, enrolls in treatment, etc.
At least 3 more states (Georgia, Nebraska, and Indiana) are now considering similar reforms, while only 6 states continue to fully enforce the War on Drugs-era ban.
