About 17,000 Kentuckians will be at risk of losing food assistance due to a new rule that links SNAP benefits eligibility to employment hours.
In July of this year, individuals residing in Kentucky who are aged between 18 and 49, do not have children, and have not reported a disability, will be obligated to provide proof of an average of 20 hours of work per week for 33 out of every 36 months.
Thousands at Risk of Losing SNAP Benefits
Those receiving benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will have their food assistance stopped in October if they fail to record and report the necessary number of hours for the months of July, August, and September (SNAP).
The reinstatement of this requirement was made possible by the conclusion of the federal Public Health Emergency due to COVID-19 on May 11. The requirement had previously been waived during the pandemic. SNAP recipients who are affected by these reinstated obligations will receive written notices from the state on Monday.
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Majority of Capable SNAP Participants Struggle
During the years 2018 to 2020, when a similar limitation was in effect, more than 39,000 individuals in Kentucky lost their food assistance. Due to high unemployment rates and a lack of employment opportunities, 9,494 residents of 39 counties, mostly in eastern Kentucky, will be exempt from reporting their hours worked.
Apart from having a dependent child or a documented disability, SNAP recipients can be exempt from these requirements if they are physically or mentally unable to work, actively participating in substance use treatment programs, or enrolled at least half-time in school, training, or work programs.
However, most adult SNAP Benefits recipients already work, and there is no evidence to suggest that imposing an additional reporting process, which takes away funds for groceries, increases work participation, or reduces poverty.
Recent studies have shown that among adult SNAP participants who are capable of working, over 81% are already employed but earn wages that are insufficient due to unpredictable work schedules, limited hours, or inadequate sick or family leave, making them eligible for the program.
Klein argues that SNAP plays a critical role in preventing hunger among Kentuckians, and linking it to a complex work reporting requirement is degrading and inhumane. She believes that policymakers should strengthen SNAP and eliminate the work reporting requirement.
If you are concerned about the possibility of losing your benefits, you can determine if you qualify for an exemption by using the SNAP Time Limit Screening Tool provided by the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy (KCEP).
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