Thousands of food stamp recipients in Cobb, Gwinnett and Hall counties will lose their food stamps beginning Friday.

The three counties are included in a state pilot program to implement new rules and deadlines over the food stamp program.

The new rules mandate that able-bodied adults without children can collect food stamps for only three months in a three-year period, unless they get into a job or training program. The first of the deadlines arrives Friday, and as many as 5,000 people are expected to lose their federally funded benefits.

The new rules are rehashing a longstanding debate on whether government assistance should be tied to work requirements.

To learn more, read the story on MyAJC.com http://www.myajc.com/news/news/local/thousands-in-georgia-could-lose-food-stamps/nqw3W/