A day after the White House called for the elimination of barriers to food assistance, nearly three dozen House Democrats filed a bill to end the three-month limit on SNAP benefits for so-called ABAWDs, able-bodied adults ages 18-49 without dependents. “Research finds that relinquishing access to SNAP benefits only forces people into hunger, not job security,” said Rep. Barbara Lee of California, a lead sponsor of the legislation.
The 1996 welfare reform law limits ABAWDs to 90 days of food stamp benefits in a three-year period unless they work at least 20 hours a week, perform workfare or are in a job training programs. House Republicans tried unsuccessfully to enlarge the number of people subject to the 90-day limit during debate on the 2018 farm bill. A federal judge rejected a Trump administration effort to restrict the availability of waivers from the 90-day limit for areas with insufficient jobs.
Some 6 million people will be subject to the ABAWD work requirement in May with the end of the pandemic health emergency, said Lee and Rep. Alma Adams of North Carolina, the other lead sponsor of the bill. “Our world and our workforce have been permanently changed by the pandemic. SNAP must adapt to the new normal,” said Adams.
Also pending in the House were bills to expand SNAP coverage to Puerto Rico and to require colleges to tell students taking part in work-study programs that they might qualify for food stamps. Florida Sen. Rick Scott, a Republican, has filed a bill to expand the SNAP work requirement to people aged 60 and to apply the work requirements to people living in public housing.
South Dakota Rep. Dusty Johnson was expected to file on Tuesday a bill to expand the coverage of the ABAWD work limit to age 65 and end the use of waivers in areas with insufficient jobs, reported Politico. A Johnson spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.