Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Reform Act of 2017

To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to modify the work requirement applicable to able-bodied adults without dependents. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Reform Act of 2017 2. Work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents (a) Declaration of policy Section 2 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2011 Congress further finds that it should also be the purpose of the supplemental nutrition assistance program to increase employment, to encourage healthy marriage, and to promote prosperous self-sufficiency, which means the ability of households to maintain an income above the poverty level without services and benefits from the Federal Government. (b) Definitions (1) Food Section 3(k) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2012(k) , except that a food, food product, meal, or other item described in this subsection shall be considered a food under this Act only if it is an essential (as determined by the Secretary) (2) Supervised job search Section 3 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2012 (A) by redesignating subsections (t) through (v) as subsections (u) through (w), respectively; and (B) by inserting after subsection (s) the following: (t) Supervised job search The term supervised job search (1) The job search occurs at an official location where the presence and activity of the recipient can be directly observed, supervised, and monitored. (2) The entry, time onsite, and exit of the recipient from the official job search location are recorded in a manner that prevents fraud. (3) The recipient is expected to remain and undertake job search activities at the job search center. (4) The quantity of time the recipient is observed and monitored engaging in job search at the official location is recorded for purposes of compliance with the work and work activation requirements of sections 6(o) and 30. . (c) Work requirement for able-Bodied adults without dependents Section 6(o) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2015(o) (1) in paragraph (2)— (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by striking not less than 3 months (consecutive or otherwise) more than 1 month (B) in subparagraph (C) by striking or (C) in subparagraph (D) by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or (D) by adding at the end the following: (E) participate in supervised job search for at least 8 hours per week. ; (2) in paragraph (4), by adding at the end the following: (C) Termination Subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to any fiscal year that begins after the date of the enactment of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Reform Act of 2017 ; (3) in paragraph (6)— (A) in the paragraph heading by striking 15-PERCENT 5-PERCENT (B) in subparagraph (A)(ii)(IV) by striking 3 months 1 month (C) in subparagraph (D) by striking 15 percent 5 percent (4) by adding at the end the following: (8) Promoting work As a condition of receiving supplemental nutrition assistance program funds under this Act, a State agency shall provide each individual subject to the work requirement of this subsection with the opportunity to participate in an activity selected by the State from among the options described in subparagraphs (B), (C), and (E) of paragraph (2). (9) Penalties for inadequate state performance If a State agency fails to fully comply with this section, including the requirement to terminate the benefits of individuals who fail to fulfill the work requirements described in paragraph (2) during a fiscal quarter, the funding allotment of the State for the supplemental nutrition assistance program shall be reduced by 10 percent for the quarter that begins 180 days after the first day of the quarter in which the noncompliance occurred. .

Summary: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Reform Act of 2017 This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to modify the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) work requirements that apply to able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs). The bill modifies the work requirements to: terminate the authority of the Department of Agriculture to waive the requirements, upon the request of a state agency, for individuals residing in an area that has an unemployment rate of over 10% or does not have a sufficient number of jobs to provide employment for the individuals; shorten from three months to one month the time limit for receiving benefits in a three-year period without meeting the requirements; decrease from 15% to 5% the portion of ABAWDs that a state may exempt from the requirements; allow participation in a supervised job search to satisfy the requirements; require states receiving SNAP funds to provide ABAWDs with opportunities to participate in a work program, a workfare program, or a supervised job search; and reduce SNAP allotments for states that fail to comply with requirements regarding eligibility disqualifications. The bill also modifies the congressional declaration of policy to specify that the purpose of SNAP is to increase employment, to encourage healthy marriage, and to promote prosperous self-sufficiency (maintaining an income above the poverty level without services and benefits from the federal government).