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Jobs and Opportunities for SNAP Act of 2023
2/1/2024, 12:00 PM
Summary of Bill S 1062
If passed, the bill would require states to develop and implement programs that offer job training, education, and employment services to SNAP recipients. These programs would be designed to help individuals gain the skills and experience needed to secure stable, well-paying jobs and reduce their reliance on government assistance.
Additionally, the bill would establish a grant program to provide funding to states and local organizations to support the implementation of these job training and employment programs. The goal of this grant program is to incentivize states to create innovative and effective programs that help SNAP recipients find and maintain employment. Overall, the Jobs and Opportunities for SNAP Act of 2023 seeks to empower individuals who receive SNAP benefits by providing them with the resources and support they need to achieve economic self-sufficiency. By investing in job training and employment opportunities for SNAP recipients, the bill aims to break the cycle of poverty and dependence on government assistance.
Congressional Summary of S 1062
Jobs and Opportunities for SNAP Act of 2023
This bill expands applicability of the work requirements for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients who are able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs). (SNAP recipients who are ABAWDs have work-related requirements in addition to the general SNAP work registration and employment and training requirements.)
Specifically, this bill applies the work requirements for ABAWDs to adults who are not over 65 years old, whereas these requirements currently apply to adults who are not over 50 years old.
Further, the ABAWD exemption for a parent or household member with responsibility for a dependent child is restricted to a dependent child under the age of seven. Current law does not include an age for the child.
The bill repeals COVID-19 public health emergency waivers issued for ABAWD work requirements.
The bill also repeals an ABAWD waiver program that allows state exemptions based on an area (1) having an unemployment rate of over 10%, or (2) not having a sufficient number of jobs.
Under current law, a state agency may exempt up to 12% of SNAP recipients from the ABAWD work requirements for each fiscal year; unused exemptions may be carried over and used in a subsequent fiscal year. The bill reduces the percentage of exemptions a state agency may provide to up to 3% of SNAP recipients, and unused exemptions may not be carried over.
