Prohibit SNAP work requirements
Recommendation
Congress should prohibit states from imposing work requirements on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which disproportionately affects individuals with mental health and substance use disorders (MH/SUD).[1]
Background/summary
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) reached an average of 42 million people annually in the five years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.[2] Eligible low-income individuals and families use SNAP to supplement their grocery budget, reduce their food insecurity,[2][3] and improve their health and economic wellbeing.[4] Numerous studies have found that food insecurity is associated with poor mental health outcomes, including higher rates of depression and anxiety.[5][10] A recent study found that work requirements to receive SNAP benefits worsened depression and anxiety, and at a faster rate for women than men.[1][4][5]
Recently passed legislation[6] mandates new requirements for individuals to receive SNAP benefits and curbs how states can waive work requirements.[7] The expanded work requirements put thousands of adults at risk of losing food assistance.[7][8] Work requirement policies limit the time adults without disabilities or dependents can receive SNAP benefits unless they work or participate in training activities.[5][9] These policies add barriers to populations facing food insecurity[1] and make it more difficult to qualify for benefits, which worsens mental health.[4][5]
Given that work requirements on SNAP benefits do not result in significant employment gains and negatively impact low-income individuals, including those with MH/SUDs, Congress should repeal these requirements.
citations
1. Mellilo, Gianna. 2022. Food Programs with Work Requirements Led More People to Need Mental Health Care. The Hill. Last Accessed August 2, 2022
2. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Last Accessed January 2021.
3. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Last Accessed July 3, 2023.
4. Northwestern University. Northwestern Now. Food stamp work requirements increase mental health care use. Last Accessed July 28, 2022.
5. Lindsay Allen, Diana Henry, Alicia Atwood. SNAP work requirements increase mental health care use. Health Research and Educational Trust, Health Services Research. Last Accessed July 13, 2022.
6. Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. H.R.3746 (McHenry), 118th Congress (2023-2024). Last Accessed June 2023.
7. Abha Bhattarai and Laura Reiley. 2022. New SNAP work requirements, explained. The Washington Post. Last Accessed May 31, 2023.
8. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Debt Ceiling Agreement’s SNAP Changes Would Increase Hunger and Poverty for Many Older Low-Income People; New Exemptions Would Help Some Others. Last Accessed May 31, 2023.
9. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. Regulatory Reform at a Glance – Proposed Rule: SNAP Requirements for ABAWDs Last Accessed December 2018.
10. Lindsay Allen, Diana Henry, Alicia Atwood. SNAP work requirements increase mental health care use. Health Research and Educational Trust, Health Services Research. Last Accessed July 13, 2022.