As talks continue around possible updates to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized the need for states to reinforce work requirements for those receiving food assistance.
Most SNAP recipients are already subject to work rules. Rollins stated that a new memorandum directs states to communicate that people who can work, should clearly.
Adults aged 18–54 must either hold a job or participate in a work program, unless they fall under specific exemptions—such as being disabled, pregnant, a caretaker of someone under 18, homeless, or a veteran.
“Since my confirmation, I have reiterated the states are our partners, and this includes ensuring our nutrition programs are tied to putting Americans back to work,” Rollins said. “It is important to remind states that Congress conditioned the receipt of benefits by able-bodied adults without dependents on satisfying work requirements. Many states have abused the system by requesting work requirement waivers. Today marks the start of a new era for SNAP—prioritizing work, career and technical education, and volunteering rather than idleness, excess spending, and misapplication of the law.”
In 2023, 42.1 million people—or 12.6% of the U.S. population—received monthly SNAP benefits. Data from Pew shows that 61.6% of adult SNAP recipients in 2021 reported not working at all that year.
Meanwhile, governors in several states are proposing changes that would remove items like soda and junk food from SNAP eligibility. These suggestions echo Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” platform.
