In a recent development, the House of Representatives has passed a bill aimed at cutting spending, which includes expanding work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The program currently assists nearly 43 million low-income Americans in purchasing groceries. Under the House bill, work requirements would extend to adults up to 55, whereas the current policy only applies to adults under 50. Conversely, Democrats are advocating for the elimination of work requirements altogether.

The bill was passed by a narrow margin of 217-215, with almost all Republicans in favor and all Democrats opposed and includes a proposal making Medicaid, the healthcare program for low-income and disabled individuals, contingent on work requirements for certain eligible Americans. The feasibility of this provision remains uncertain, as similar measures have been struck down by federal courts in some states.

Since the Clinton administration, SNAP recipients have been required to engage in paid work, job training, or volunteering to continue receiving benefits. These requirements were temporarily suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but are set to be reinstated in July 2023, regardless of the fate of the House bill, which is unlikely to pass in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

A team of economists studying the intersection of social safety nets and work has investigated the impact of work requirements. Their findings suggest that work requirements do not enhance job prospects or income for individuals subject to these requirements but do significantly reduce the number of people enrolled in SNAP. Over half the adults subjected to work requirements lost their benefits as a result. The study also reveals that work requirements disproportionately impact individuals who have experienced severe economic hardships, such as homelessness or lack of earned income.

Furthermore, research shows that adults expelled from SNAP due to work requirements faced a potential loss of $189 in benefits per month, which constituted a substantial portion of their income.

The economists conducted their study in Virginia, utilizing comprehensive data on earnings and SNAP benefits. While work requirement enforcement varies across states, the researchers believe their findings are representative of the policy’s impacts, as SNAP recipients in Virginia share similar characteristics with the national average.

The study’s conclusion suggests that work requirements reduce federal spending by reducing the number of SNAP recipients. They also indicate that these savings come at the expense of already vulnerable individuals who may face further economic hardships, especially in the face of a potential recession.