The House overwhelmingly approved a debt ceiling bill that also curbs federal spending, causing House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to hint at further tightening work requirements for safety net programs. The legislation expands work requirements for “able-bodied adults without dependents” under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to older individuals. Under current rules, individuals ages 18 through 49 can’t receive SNAP benefits for more than three months in three years if they don’t meet additional work requirements. The measure would increase the age limit to adults ages 50 to 52 in fiscal 2024 and then up to age 54 beginning in fiscal 2025. The measure also would exempt homeless individuals, veterans, or certain individuals in foster care from the work rules that apply to able-bodied adults without dependents.
McCarthy did not specify which programs he meant when he spoke about work requirements. House Republicans also have pursued stronger work requirements for participants in the cash welfare program Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The debt limit bill did not go as far on TANF as a House-passed bill to cut federal spending.
The next farm bill is already considered a potential target for reducing SNAP eligibility and spending. Some Republicans have proposed expanding the 90-day limit to individuals aged 18 to 65.
But Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) earlier this week made clear that worker requirements for SNAP are now a settled affair and should not and will not be part of the next farm bill. Read more from Pro Farmer.
