Modifications to SNAP Work Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults
Section 10102 · Sec. 10102 ·
What this chapter is about
This part rewrites who is let off the food aid work rule. It raises the top age to 65. It narrows the child care excuse to kids under 14. It also changes when a state may get a waiver, and adds a short-term way out for states off the mainland.
The document says “shall not”Who acts: Secretary of Agriculture, State agenciesHow: statuteSec. 10102 in the PDF
What the document says
“Exceptions.--Paragraph (2) shall not apply to an individual if the individual is--”
The section strikes paragraph (3) of section 6(o) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015(o)) and inserts a new list of seven exceptions: a person under 18 or over 65 years of age; a person medically certified as physically or mentally unfit for employment; a parent or other household member responsible for a dependent child under 14 years of age; a person otherwise exempt under subsection (d)(2); a pregnant woman; an Indian or an Urban Indian as those terms are defined in paragraphs (13) and (28) of section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act; and a California Indian described in section 809(a) of that Act.
What the document actually says
“Exceptions.--Paragraph (2) shall not apply to an individual if the individual is--”
That sentence, in plain words
The work rule does not apply to some people. The list that follows says who they are.
What this is about
The list names seven groups. It covers people under 18 and over 65. It covers a parent caring for a child under 14. It also covers pregnant women.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “is amended”Who acts: Secretary of AgricultureHow: statuteSec. 10102 in the PDF
What the document says
“is in a noncontiguous State and has an unemployment rate that is at or above 1.5 times the national unemployment rate.”
The section strikes clause (ii) of section 6(o)(4)(A) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015(o)(4)) and inserts the quoted test, and adds a definition under which a noncontiguous State means a State that is not one of the contiguous 48 States or the District of Columbia, not including Guam or the Virgin Islands of the United States.
What the document actually says
“is in a noncontiguous State and has an unemployment rate that is at or above 1.5 times the national unemployment rate.”
That sentence, in plain words
The state must be off the mainland. Its rate of joblessness must be at least 1.5 times the national rate.
What this is about
A state off the mainland is one outside the lower 48 and the capital. Guam and the Virgin Islands do not count as one here.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “can”Who acts: Secretary of AgricultureHow: statuteSec. 10102 in the PDF
What the document says
“the Secretary may exempt individuals in a noncontiguous State from compliance with the requirements of paragraph (2) if--”
The section inserts a new paragraph (7) into section 6(o) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 letting the Secretary exempt individuals in a noncontiguous State from the work requirement where the State agency asks in the form and at the time the Secretary requires and the Secretary finds the State agency is making a good faith effort to comply. In deciding that, the Secretary must consider the actions the State agency has taken, any significant barriers or challenges including ones relating to funding, design, development, procurement or installation of systems or resources, the State agency's detailed plan and timeline with any milestones, and any other criteria the Secretary thinks appropriate.
What the document actually says
“the Secretary may exempt individuals in a noncontiguous State from compliance with the requirements of paragraph (2) if--”
That sentence, in plain words
The Secretary may let a state off the mainland skip the work rule. The state must first meet the tests that follow.
What this is about
The state must ask for it in writing. The Secretary must find that the state is trying in good faith. Cost and system problems may be weighed.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall”Who acts: Secretary of AgricultureHow: statuteSec. 10102 in the PDF
What the document says
“An exemption granted under subparagraph (B) shall expire not later than December 31, 2028, and may not be renewed beyond that date.”
The section provides that an exemption expires no later than December 31, 2028 and may not be renewed past that date, and lets the Secretary end it early on finding that the State agency failed to meet the reporting requirements or, on the information reported, failed to make continued good faith efforts toward compliance.
What the document actually says
“An exemption granted under subparagraph (B) shall expire not later than December 31, 2028, and may not be renewed beyond that date.”
That sentence, in plain words
The pass runs out by December 31, 2028. It may not be renewed after that.
What this is about
The Secretary may also end it sooner. That can happen if the state stops filing reports. It can also happen if the state stops trying.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
“A State agency granted an exemption under subparagraph (B) shall submit to the Secretary--”
The section requires a State agency holding an exemption to send the Secretary quarterly progress reports on its status in reaching the milestones toward full compliance set out in its plan, and information on specific risks or newly identified barriers or challenges to full compliance, including the State agency's plan to mitigate them.
What the document actually says
“A State agency granted an exemption under subparagraph (B) shall submit to the Secretary--”
That sentence, in plain words
A state that gets the pass must report to the Secretary. The list that follows says what it must send.
What this is about
Reports are due every three months. They cover how far the state has got. They must also flag new problems and how the state will handle them.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
Each distinct thing the section does: the new list of people the work requirement does not apply to, the new unemployment test for a waiver in a noncontiguous State, the new exemption a noncontiguous State may request, the date that exemption ends, and the reports a State must file while it holds one.
The redesignation of paragraph (7) as paragraph (8), which moves an existing paragraph without changing what it says.
The section works by amending section 6(o) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, which is not indexed here. The terms Indian, Urban Indian and California Indian are defined in the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, which is also not indexed here.
