People shop for groceries at a Walmart store in Ohio. New research suggests SNAP work requirements won’t enhance employment and will push more people off of food assistance. (Photo by Marty Schladen/Ohio Capital Journal)
With states tightening work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), recent analysis highlights these changes will not boost employment but will lead to reduced food assistance. The Hamilton Project, affiliated with the Brookings Institution, unveiled this research amidst significant shifts in SNAP, driven by recent federal legislation affecting the program.
The analysis from The Hamilton Project reveals that work requirements fail to raise employment but significantly decrease SNAP participation. The law, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, enforces cuts to social services, including nutrition aid, and modifies exemptions affecting older adults, veterans, and rural residents.
Lauren Bauer, a scholar at Brookings, noted that SNAP enrollment is decreasing nationwide, with many likely losing benefits as states enforce work requirements. She emphasized that these requirements do not increase employment but instead lead to disenrollment from the program.
Bauer also expressed concern over the impact of stricter SNAP requirements during economic downturns. Historically, SNAP has been a crucial support for the unemployed. However, under current rules, jobless individuals might find themselves ineligible for benefits unless they meet work requirements.
According to a study by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, around 2.5 million low-income individuals have lost SNAP benefits since the legislation’s enactment. The program is also undergoing additional changes, including reduced funding for nutrition education and fewer waivers for areas with limited job opportunities.
A USDA representative commended the decline in SNAP participation, citing it as a positive step towards program integrity. Meanwhile, Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, defend the SNAP changes, claiming they aim to reduce waste and fraud while maintaining assistance for those in need.
—
Read More Montana News
