ONE MILLION TO LOSE SNAP BENEFITS IN 2016

Roughly 1 million of the nation’s poorest people will be cut off SNAP during 2016, as many states will see the return of a 3-month limit on SNAP benefits for unemployed adults aged 18-50 who aren’t disabled or raising minor children.  The 3-month limit was enacted as part of the 1996 welfare reform law; it applies to childless people who aren’t employed or in a work or training program for at least 20 hours a week—even if their state operates few or no employment programs and fails to offer them a spot in a work or training program — which is the case in most states. The limit hasn’t been in effect in most states for the past few years as the law allows states to waive the limit in areas with high and sustained unemployment.  But as the recession recedes and unemployment rates fall, fewer and fewer areas will qualify for waivers.  Just a few states will qualify for statewide waivers in 2016, resulting in approximately 1 million SNAP recipients losing their benefits to the time limit. 

Source: Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, 1/5/15, 2016 SNAP Cuts