Tillis Introduces SNAP Work Requirements Amendment to Farm Bill

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced an amendment to the Farm Bill that would add work requirement for certain recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Dean Heller (R-NV) are original co-sponsors of the amendment.

Click HERE to watch Senator Tillis speak on the amendment.

The amendment would:

Require nondisabled SNAP recipients ages 18-59 without dependents under age 6 to work or participate in employment training programs 20 hours per week.
Expand qualifying work programs to include apprenticeships, time-limited unpaid or volunteer work, and state approved work training programs.
Establish a revised ineligibility process allowing one month for initial compliance and requiring a 12-month ineligibility period for the first work requirement violation and a 36-month ineligibility period for subsequent violations unless an individual obtains sufficient employment or is no longer subject to the work requirements at an earlier time.
Allow two years for implementation and give the Secretary discretion to allow states more time if necessary.
Allow states to opt-out of enforcing updated requirements in exchange for that state's eligibility to obtain the federal administrative cost share for administering the SNAP program.
Make no adjustments to funding for SNAP benefits.

Source