JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri lawmakers are advocating for more restrictions on welfare recipients after a state audit raised questions over whether benefits are being used properly.
The report identified more than 300 cases in which Missouri welfare recipients spent their benefits exclusively outside the state during a three-month period.
Under legislation passed by the House, recipients would be kicked off the program if they don’t spend their benefits within Missouri once every 90 days.
Lawmakers are also debating whether to loosen restrictions on where welfare money can be spent and who qualifies for assistance.
The House measure would allow people to use welfare dollars to buy food at liquor stores. A Senate bill would open the federal food stamps program to some drug felons.