Chiding some states as laggards, the Trump administration said on Thursday that state agencies operating SNAP must expand their job-training activities for food stamp recipients as a way to help them earn more. The proposal was unveiled on the same day as a federal court hearing on a lawsuit to block a USDA regulation, set to take effect on April 1, that ends SNAP benefits for 700,000 adults.
“We aim to prepare more Americans to re-enter the workforce so they too can experience the benefits of a prosperous economy,” said Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. The proposed expansion of the Employment and Training adjunct of SNAP would extend a helping hand at the same time the administration says stricter eligibility rules will encourage SNAP recipients to find work or better-paying jobs. Perdue toured a job-training center in Baltimore to demonstrate the USDA’s commitment to a trained workforce.
Known as E&T, job training is a small part of SNAP, with guaranteed funding of $100 million a year compared to the $58 billion cost of food stamps in fiscal 2019. The 2018 farm law called for strengthening E&T with increased funding and higher expectations for performance.
Besides getting a share of the $100 million, states qualify for unlimited federal matching funds if they expand or enhance their programs. Some $490 million was available in so-called 50/50 matching funds this year, compared to $224 million in fiscal 2018, a sign that the E&T program has grown from its 458,660 participants in 2018.
Brandon Lipps, the USDA deputy undersecretary in charge of SNAP, said the proposed rule would require individual case management so that participants get the appropriate training. The rule directs states toward practices that have proven successful and holds states accountable for offering services that move participants toward work.
“This rule is a wonderful opportunity to serve individuals,” said Lipps during a teleconference.
In a letter to state social service officials, Lipps said millions of SNAP recipients could benefit from effective E&T programs. “Some of you have been proactive leaders in improving your E&T program. However, not all states have taken action. … Expanding E&T opportunities for SNAP recipients in your state must be a top priority.” He suggested partnerships with local and other state agencies and with nonprofit organizations as a way to expand the scope of the training programs.
Among the administration’s proposals were allowing E&T funds to be used for subsidized employment such as apprenticeships and increased coordination with the private sector through workforce partnerships that provide training at no federal cost.
“We continue to support efforts to shift SNAP Employment and Training programs to services that will help individuals gain skills that will lead to better jobs. That’s a relatively narrow effort,” said Stacy Dean of the think tank Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, who referred to the court challenge to stricter USDA rules on food stamps for able-bodied adults aged 18 to 49 without dependents (ABAWDs).
Fourteen states, the District of Columbia, and New York City have asked for an injunction against the USDA rule, which would more stringently apply the 90-day limit on food stamps to ABAWDs who do not work at least 20 hours a week. The lawsuit also seeks to have the regulation overturned as unlawful.
There will be a 60-day comment period on the E&T proposal after it is published next week in the Federal Register.