Section 10102: Modifications to SNAP Work Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults
📘 Section 10102: Work Requirements
🧠 What is this section about?
This part of the bill talks about who has to work or do job training to keep getting SNAP (food stamp) benefits.
✅ In 4th Grade Language:
If you’re an adult without kids, and you’re between 18 and 55 years old, the government says:
“You must work or go to job training at least 20 hours a week to keep getting help to buy food.”
If you don’t do this for 3 months, you might lose your food benefits for a while.
⏰ What’s new?
Before, this rule only applied up to age 49, but now it applies up to age 55.
👶 Are there exceptions?
Yes! This rule does not apply if:
You’re disabled
You’re pregnant
You’re taking care of a child
Or you meet other special exceptions
🧃 Quick Example:
Imagine the government says:
“If you’re a healthy adult and not taking care of kids, you need to work a little each week to get help buying food.”
That’s what this section is about. It’s like saying:
“We’ll help you eat, but you also have to try and help yourself.”
💬 What’s the big idea?
This section is meant to encourage people to work or get job training if they can, while still protecting people who need help the most.
Original Document:
SEC. 10102. MODIFICATIONS TO SNAP WORK REQUIREMENTS FOR ABLE-BODIED
ADULTS.
(a) Exceptions.--Section 6(o) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008
(7 U.S.C. 2015(o)) is amended by striking paragraph (3) and inserting
the following:
``(3) Exceptions.--Paragraph (2) shall not apply to an
individual if the individual is--
``(A) under 18, or over 65, years of age;
``(B) medically certified as physically or mentally
unfit for employment;
``(C) a parent or other member of a household with
responsibility for a dependent child under 14 years of
age;
``(D) otherwise exempt under subsection (d)(2);
``(E) a pregnant woman;
``(F) an Indian or an Urban Indian (as such terms
are defined in paragraphs (13) and (28) of section 4 of
the Indian Health Care Improvement Act); or
``(G) a California Indian described in section
809(a) of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.''.
(b) Standardizing Enforcement.--Section 6(o)(4) of the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015(o)(4)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking clause (ii) and
inserting the following:
``(ii) is in a noncontiguous State and has
an unemployment rate that is at or above 1.5
times the national unemployment rate.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) Definition of noncontiguous state.--
``(i) In general.--In this paragraph, the
term `noncontiguous State' means a State that
is not 1 of the contiguous 48 States or the
District of Columbia.
``(ii) Exclusions.--The term `noncontiguous
State' does not include Guam or the Virgin
Islands of the United States.''.
(c) Waiver for Noncontiguous States.--Section 6(o) of the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015(o)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:
``(7) Exemption for noncontiguous states.--
``(A) Definition of noncontiguous state.--
``(i) In general.--In this paragraph, the
term `noncontiguous State' means a State that
is not 1 of the contiguous 48 States or the
District of Columbia.
``(ii) Exclusions.--In this paragraph, the
term `noncontiguous State' does not include
Guam or the Virgin Islands of the United
States.
``(B) Exemption.--Subject to subparagraph (D), the
Secretary may exempt individuals in a noncontiguous
State from compliance with the requirements of
paragraph (2) if--
``(i) the State agency submits to the
Secretary a request for that exemption, made in
such form and at such time as the Secretary may
require, and including the information
described in subparagraph (C); and
``(ii) the Secretary determines that based
on that request, the State agency is
demonstrating a good faith effort to comply
with the requirements of paragraph (2).
``(C) Good faith effort determination.--In
determining whether a State agency is demonstrating a
good faith effort for purposes of subparagraph (B)(ii),
the Secretary shall consider--
``(i) any actions taken by the State agency
toward compliance with the requirements of
paragraph (2);
``(ii) any significant barriers to or
challenges in meeting those requirements,
including barriers or challenges relating to
funding, design, development, procurement, or
installation of necessary systems or resources;
``(iii) the detailed plan and timeline of
the State agency for achieving full compliance
with those requirements, including any
milestones (as defined by the Secretary); and
``(iv) any other criteria determined
appropriate by the Secretary.
``(D) Duration of exemption.--
``(i) In general.--An exemption granted
under subparagraph (B) shall expire not later
than December 31, 2028, and may not be renewed
beyond that date.
``(ii) Early termination.--The Secretary
may terminate an exemption granted under
subparagraph (B) prior to the expiration date
of that exemption if the Secretary determines
that the State agency--
``(I) has failed to comply with the
reporting requirements described in
subparagraph (E); or
``(II) based on the information
provided pursuant to subparagraph (E),
failed to make continued good faith
efforts toward compliance with the
requirements of this subsection.
``(E) Reporting requirements.--A State agency
granted an exemption under subparagraph (B) shall
submit to the Secretary--
``(i) quarterly progress reports on the
status of the State agency in achieving the
milestones toward full compliance described in
subparagraph (C)(iii); and
``(ii) information on specific risks or
newly identified barriers or challenges to full
compliance, including the plan of the State
agency to mitigate those risks, barriers, or
challenges.''.

Comments
Post a Comment