Researchers from UC Berkeley are calling for an overhaul of the federal food stamps program that would remove barriers preventing millions of people from accessing live-saving benefits.

The new report published Wednesday by Berkeley's Othering & Belonging Institute argues that Clinton-era work requirements and other “welfare reform” efforts have prevented the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) from realizing its full potential as an anti-poverty program.

"The notion that work requirements prevent a dependency on government assistance programs hinges on anti-poor and racist stereotypes, and reinforces exposure to prison, poverty, and premature death for non-wealthy people who must work to live,” said Hossein Ayazi, institute researcher and co-author of the "Fighting Poverty with SNAP" report.

"These are problems rooted in the destitute conditions of countless neighborhoods across the country, wherein residents struggle to survive in the face of limited food access, few jobs, poor schools, and environmental hazards that pose serious health risks,” adds Ayazi, who is also a Visiting Assistant Professor of American Studies at Williams College.

Read the full article about expanding SNAP eligibility at the Othering & Belonging Institute.