Florida expands work requirements for SNAP (2024)
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed House Bill 1267 on June 13, 2024, expanding work requirements for participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The legislation mandates that individuals aged 18-59 must participate in the SNAP Employment and Training program for 40 hours per week, with exemptions for those living with children or who qualify for other specified reasons.[1]
The new law exceeds federal SNAP minimum work requirements, which require individuals between 18-52 to work 80 hours per month. The changes to Florida law were previously implemented by the Florida Department of Children and Families in November 2023, and HB 1267 formally codifies the policy. [2]
The bill passed the Florida House of Representatives 114-1 on February 22, 2024. Rep. Angela Nixon (D) was the sole dissenting vote. The Florida State Senate passed the bill unanimously on March 6, 2024. Rep. Adam Anderson (R), the bill’s sponsor, argued the bill would encourage workforce participation and self-sufficiency among SNAP recipients.
The Florida Policy Institute—a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that conducts research and analysis on Florida public policies—argued, “Imposing work requirements on older Floridians will cause enormous hardship to people whose food assistance is cut off as a sanction. Aging Floridians already experience significant food insecurity.”[3]
The law goes into effect July 1, 2024.
See also
- Arguments about work requirements for public assistance programs
- Legislation related to work requirements for public assistance programs
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Florida Senate, "CS/CS/HB 1267: Economic Self-sufficiency," accessed June 20, 2024
- ↑ Florida Department of Children and Families, "Able-bodied Adults Without Dependents and Mandatory Work Participants FAQ," accessed June 20, 2024
- ↑ Florida Policy, "Florida's Expansion of SNAP Mandatory Work Requirements Will Hurt Program Participants and Local Economies," accessed June 20, 2024
