WASHINGTON —  New rules to the SNAP program could force hundreds of thousands of Californians to go without food stamps. The Trump administration’s latest proposal to restrict SNAP benefits is slated to solidify as early as this spring. 

In California, about 4 million people receive food stamps and with the administration’s new rule, about 200,000 Californians could lose their SNAP benefits, according to the Urban Institute. 

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The rule applies to “able-bodied adults,” between 18 and 49 who don’t have children, dependents, and who aren’t pregnant. Right now, these adults are limited to three months of SNAP benefits within three years, unless they work at least 20 hours a week.

For now, states can waive that work requirement for areas with unemployment rates of 2.5 percent or higher. The new rule will restrict states to waive the rule for areas where unemployment is 6 percent or higher. 

Many California Republicans have generally agreed to cutbacks on SNAP benefits, in order to save the government several billions of dollars over time and reduce the nation’s unemployment rate. But many Democrats are outraged.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee of Oakland says she has been dealt with hardships in the past when she had to depend on the federal government for help. She said this new rule threatens the lives of thousands of people in California. 

“I was on food stamps, it was a bridge over troubled waters. I thank my government for helping me through that period,” said Lee.

“I want everyone to be helped when they need a helping hand. The economy is not good for everyone and people working need to be able to also feed their families and in many ways, this is a real stain on this administration and we are going to fight to make sure that their hands stay off of SNAP.”

California Republican and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has proposed cuts to the SNAP program in the House, only to have the Democrats vote it down. But GOP lawmakers say this is a good way to not only encourage adults to work more, but also a way to save about $5.5 billion dollars over the next five years. 

USA Today said some of the most impacted communities include several counties in California including Merced, Fresno, and El Centro. 

This new rule could restrict SNAP benefits for about 688,000 people across the nation, according to the USDA, and is slated to take effect April 1, 2020.

It’s likely the rule will be challenged in the courts. 

Democrats argue that different regions face different hardships, especially in California, saying some people’s income can fluctuate and they may have a harder time buying food. They also argue that the cost of living is higher in California than in most places so the poverty line might not be fair to those people who make a little more than others in another state.