(The Center Square) – Many older individuals and primary caretakers receiving food stamps could face work requirements if recently introduced Republican legislation becomes law.
Currently, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) does not impose work requirements on able-bodied adults with no dependents over the age of 54. It also exempts able-bodied adults who are primary caretakers of a dependent child from work requirements.
But the SNAP Reform and Upward Mobility Act, reintroduced by U.S. Rep. John Brecheen, R-Okla., with Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, would change that. Brecheen said the SNAP status quo “has created a culture of dependency instead of opportunity,” necessitating reform.
“For decades, the federal government has grossly mismanaged SNAP, loosening eligibility requirements, allowing more recipients to be totally exempt from work requirements, and overseeing massive fraud and abuse,” the lawmaker said. “It’s time to return to commonsense policies that promote our American values of hard work and individual responsibility.”
The bill would change the work requirement age from 54 to 64 and require able-bodied primary caretakers to work once one or more of the dependent children turns seven years old. For married couples with a dependent over the age of six, the work requirement hours can be fulfilled jointly.
It would also amend how U.S. poverty levels are determined, require participating states to increasingly match federal SNAP funds, and crack down on fraud, including by permanently disqualifying food stamp recipients from future benefits if they commit fraud.
In 2024, the federal government spent $93.6 million in taxpayer dollars on SNAP benefits. More than 42 million individuals received these benefits in September 2024, averaging $189.55 a month, according to data from the United States Department of Agriculture, which runs the program.
