Summary#
This bill would change the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 by removing a specific work requirement that can disqualify able-bodied adults from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It strikes subsection (o) of section 6 and removes related statutory references, and it deletes a section that gave additional state allocations tied to ensuring work opportunities. The bill also makes technical and conforming amendments to the Internal Revenue Code and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The main changes take effect 180 days after enactment, with limited exceptions for allotments issued before that date and for certain hires within 90 days after the effective date.
What it means for you#
- Able-bodied adults who were subject to the repealed work requirement would no longer be disqualified under that specific provision if the bill becomes law.
- The bill removes a federal provision that had provided extra state allocations tied to work-opportunity availability.
- States and agencies would need to update rules and paperwork because the bill deletes multiple statutory references to the repealed requirement.
- Some parts of the bill do not apply to SNAP allotments issued before the effective date, and one amendment does not apply to individuals hired before the 90-day period that begins on the effective date.
Expenses#
No publicly available information on budgetary costs or a Congressional Budget Office score appears in the bill text provided.
Proponents' View#
The bill text lists findings in support of the change, including that:
- SNAP helps restore access to healthy food, improves overall health, and reduces poverty.
- SNAP participation is associated with better educational outcomes for children.
- SNAP provides economic stimulus; the bill cites studies that each $1 in SNAP during a downturn generates $1.50 to $1.80 in activity.
- Some studies show work requirements do not reduce poverty.
- About 6.1 million people are subject to SNAP work requirements and might lose benefits if they cannot comply.
- Benefit loss could harm households with school-aged children and children who rely on shared family resources.
- Health problems are a primary reason some recipients cannot meet work requirements.
- Work requirements can increase administrative work and reduce participation.
- The bill notes that Black Americans and people experiencing homelessness may be disproportionately affected by work requirements.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information on opposition arguments or analyses appears in the bill text provided.