Supplemental Nutrition Assistance or SNAP work requirements were left out of the 2018 farm bill however now the U.S. Department of Agriculture is proposing a watered down version of SNAP work requirements in a proposed rule. National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson says they’re waiting to comment on the rule when they see the full package. He says it doesn’t fit well with the compromise reached to pass the farm bill.
The rule proposed by the USDA focuses on work related program requirements for able bodied adults without dependents between the ages of 18 and 49. It doesn’t apply to the elderly, disabled or pregnant women. Johnson says most of those effected by that are in rural areas that would have challenges getting to places for job training.
He says those who support the work requirements are usually opposed to burdensome government rules.
House Ag Committee Chairman Mike Conaway who wanted tough work requirements in the farm bill originally is applauding the proposed rule and says he stands with the Trump administration in demonstrating the importance of state accountability and recipient success.
