If you’re one of the millions of people who receive SNAP benefits, you may be wondering if this new requirement will impact your ability to access the food assistance you need. Because, a new requirement for the SNAP beneficiaries have been rolled out, and it’s currently being applied. If you’re in this population, keep reading since this could impact your household.
Recently, the House of Representatives passed a bill that aims to cut government spending. The legislation includes a provision that would expand work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides assistance to nearly 43 million low-income Americans struggling to purchase groceries.
The new SNAP benefits cuts that could impact even more American homes
The proposed policy would apply to adults up to the age of 55, compared to the current policy that only applies to adults under the age of 50. However, some Democrats are advocating for the complete elimination of work requirements, arguing that it places undue burdens on vulnerable Americans.
The bill was passed by a narrow margin of 217-215, with all but four Republicans voting in favor and every Democrat opposed. The legislation is tied to the contentious issue of raising the debt ceiling and also includes provisions linking Medicaid eligibility to work requirements for certain individuals.
Does the work requirement for SNAP beneficiaries help people thrive?
As the United States government debates whether to toughen up work requirements for beneficiaries of the SNAP program, also known as food stamps, there is no shortage of opinions on both sides of the issue. Proponents argue that work requirements can motivate individuals to become self-sufficient and reduce dependence on government assistance, while opponents believe that such requirements unfairly burden the most vulnerable members of society.
However, what does the evidence say about the effectiveness of work requirements in helping SNAP beneficiaries thrive? A 2019 study published in the American Journal of Public Health suggests that work requirements may actually have the opposite effect. The study found that SNAP participants who were subject to work requirements had higher rates of food insecurity and poorer health outcomes than those who were exempt from the requirements.
Furthermore, research conducted by the Urban Institute found that most SNAP recipients who are able to work already do so, with many working multiple jobs to make ends meet. For those who are unable to work due to disability, illness, or other factors, work requirements may only serve to create additional barriers to receiving the assistance they need.
Many individuals who receive SNAP benefits are already working, but are unable to earn enough to support themselves and their families. Additionally, work requirements may disproportionately affect certain groups, such as women and minorities, who already face systemic barriers to employment.