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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Food pantries are seeing a rise in demand after a rules change in Utah cut some 2,200 families with undocumented immigrants from state food stamp rolls.
A computer-based eligibility system that began July 1 has state officials now counting income from all members of a household when determining food stamp eligibility.
State officials say another 8,000 more households may qualify for fewer food stamps under the new program.
A state Department of Workforce Services spokesman says the idea is to make applications and calculations fair for everyone.
But Hildegarde's Pantry chief Lydia Herrera at St. Mark's Cathedral in Salt Lake City is among those who say the change has led to confusion for some families with illegal immigrants.
They wonder if Americans are getting preference over them.
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Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune
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