More than 26,000 New Jersey residents have lost federal food assistance since new work requirements took effect earlier this year, according to state data.
The largest losses have been concentrated in the state’s urban counties, with Essex County leading New Jersey at more than 6,800 residents losing benefits, followed by Hudson County with more than 3,200. By contrast, Ocean County falls near the middle of the state’s 21 counties.
The federal changes, approved by Congress last year and signed by President Trump last July, expanded work requirements for recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, and eliminated exemptions that had shielded many areas with higher unemployment rates. Recipients ages 18 to 64 must now prove they are working, volunteering or attending school regularly in order to remain eligible for benefits…