Food and Nutrition Reform, Responsibility, and Accountability Act of 2016

To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to reform the work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents; and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Food and Nutrition Reform, Responsibility, and Accountability Act of 2016 2. Enhanced work requirement for certain adults Section 6(o) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2015 (1) in paragraph (2) by striking 3 months (consecutive or otherwise) 1 month (2) in paragraph (6)(A)(ii)(IV) by striking 3 months 1 month 3. Age modification of exemption from work requirement Section 6(o)(3)(A) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2015(o)(3)(A) (A) (i) is less than 18 years of age; (ii) is more than 50 years of age in a household that includes an individual less than 18 years of age; or (iii) is more than 63 years of age; . 4. Termination of State waiver authority Section 6(o)(4) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2015(o)(4) (C) Termination Subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to any fiscal year that begins after the effective date of this subparagraph. . 5. Reduction in State exemption authority Section 6(o)(6) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2015(o)(6) (1) in the heading by striking 15-percent 5-percent (2) in subparagraph (D) by striking 15 percent 5 percent 6. Expungement of unused supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits Section 11 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2020 (w) Expungement of unused beneftis The State agency shall expunge from the EBT account of the household benefits that are not used before the expiration of the 90-day period beginning on the date such benefits are posted to such account. . 7. Expungement of dormant supplemental nutrition assistance accounts Section 11 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2020 (w) Expungement of benefits in dormant EBT account The State agency shall expunge from an EBT account that has not been accessed for a 3-month period all of the benefits that are posted to such account during such period. . 8. State workfare program requirement for participation in the supplemental nutrition assistance program Section 20(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2029(a) for not less than 6 hours per week perform work, 9. Effective date This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the first day of the first month that begins more than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Food and Nutrition Reform, Responsibility, and Accountability Act of 2016 This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to change the work requirements for the Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program). The bill reduces, from three months to one month, the time period for which able-bodied adults without dependents may receive SNAP benefits over a three-year period without meeting work requirements. The bill modifies the exemption from work requirements for individuals who are under 18 or over 50 years of age to apply the exemption to those who are: under 18, over 50 in a household that includes an individual that is under 18, or over 63. The bill eliminates USDA's authority to waive work requirements for individuals in areas with an unemployment rate above 10% or an insufficient number of jobs. States may provide exemptions from the work requirements for up to 5% (currently 15%) of the covered individuals who either receive SNAP benefits or were denied benefits due to work requirements. States must expunge benefits from a SNAP electronic benefit transfer account if: (1) the benefits are not used within 90 days of being posted to the account, or (2) the account has not been accessed for a 3-month period. State workfare programs for SNAP participants must require at least six hours of work per week.