Reading Room Document
Use of Funds for Food Stamp Workfare Projects
This document addresses the issue of whether funds authorized by the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) can be used to cover employment-benefit and administrative costs associated with workfare pilot projects required by the Food Stamp Act of 1977. The conclusion reached is that, with limited exceptions, CETA funds are not available to cover such costs. The document presents a detailed background of the workfare provision of the Food Stamp Act, the legislative history, and the amendments to CETA in 1978. It also includes the opinions of the Solicitor of Labor and the Department of Agriculture, as well as the recommendations made to Congress regarding the use of CETA funds for workfare projects. The document raises questions about the interpretation of the Food Stamp Act and CETA, the separate nature of workfare projects and CETA programs, and the lack of corrective action taken by Congress in response to the opinions presented.
The OLC's Opinions
Opinions published by the OLC, including those released in response to our FOIA lawsuit