Today, Congressman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) released the following statement after the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced changes to prevent states from waiving work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program (SNAP) benefits.
“I commend Secretary Purdue’s much-needed reforms to the SNAP program. These new work requirements aren’t just about being good stewards of taxpayer dollars, they’re about giving people a way out of generational poverty and into a brighter future of self-reliance and prosperity,” said Arrington.“Despite the misinformation and fear-mongering from across the aisle, this policy will restore the dignity of work while protecting the most vulnerable members of American society – our seniors, children, and disabled Americans.”Background:
In 2014 when Maine instituted work requirements, the number of able-bodied adults on food stamps fell by more than 90%, and those who left the SNAP program saw their incomes more than double within the first year.
If implemented nationwide, this requirement could save taxpayers over $5.5 billion over 5 years.
SNAP statute limits participation by adults ages 18-49, without a dependent and without a disability, to 3 months in a 36-month period unless the individual is working or participating in a work program for at least 80 hours per month or volunteering. The law allows states to waive these limits in areas where sufficient jobs are not available and exempt a percentage of individuals who are not work-capable.
These time limits do not apply to pregnant women, the elderly, disabled individuals, children, parents with children at home, or anyone with a disability or designated as “unfit for work” by the state.
Nearly half of ABAWDs receiving SNAP now live in waived areas.
The law allows states to apply for waivers of this time limit due to economic conditions, but today, there are counties with an unemployment rate as low as 2.5% included in waived areas.
Under USDA’s rule, states retain their statutory flexibility to waive the time-limit in areas of high unemployment and to exempt a percentage of their caseload deemed by the state to not be work-capable.
There are multiple ways for individuals to engage and maintain their SNAP benefits, including: working, preparing for work, and volunteering.
States are provided funding to operate employment and training programs, which can provide everything from job training to necessary work support such as boots, uniforms, and transit subsidies.
States also have access to programs and services provided by other Federal agencies, state and county governments, and local service providers.
