SNAP Work Opportunities and Veteran Protection Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2420
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2015-12-17
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Employment and training programs

Food assistance and relief

Poverty and welfare assistance

Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Veterans' medical care
Latest action: action_date: 2015-12-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-12-17
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>SNAP Work Opportunities and Veteran Protection Act of 2015 </b></p> <p>This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to exempt Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) beneficiaries from work requirements if they are not offered a position in a state job training or workfare program. </p> <p>The bill also exempts from work requirements veterans who are participating in certain programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs or a state to further employment or rehabilitation goals. The bill permits the Department of Agriculture to allocate specified funds to states for the employment programs. </p>

tv_txt: II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2420 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 17, 2015 Mr. Blumenthal (for himself, Mr. Murphy , Mr. Markey , Ms. Baldwin , Mr. Sanders , and Mrs. Boxer ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry A BILL To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to modify the exception to the work requirement.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the SNAP Work Opportunities and Veteran Protection Act of 2015 . 2. Amendments to the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (a) Work requirement Section 6(o)(3) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2015(o)(3) ) is amended— (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (E) as clauses (i) through (v), respectively, and indenting appropriately; (2) by striking the paragraph designation and heading and all that follows through Paragraph (2) and inserting the following: (3) Exceptions (A) In general Paragraph (2) ; (3) in clause (iv) of subparagraph (A) (as so redesignated), by striking or at the end; (4) in clause (v) of subparagraph (A) (as so redesignated), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or ; and (5) by adding at the end the following: (vi) not offered a position in a program described in subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (2). (B) Work requirements for certain veterans (i) In general The work requirements under paragraph (2) shall not apply to a veteran (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code) if the veteran— (I) is participating in a program administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or a State to further employment or rehabilitation goals, including— (aa) an employment program; (bb) a compensated work therapy program; (cc) a mental or physical rehabilitation program; (dd) a nonemployment- focused program; and (ee) a program designed to help veterans transition to full- or part-time employment; and (II) demonstrates participation, if participation is less than 20 hours per week, in the program to the fullest extent that— (aa) the veteran is physically able; and (bb) the program allows. (ii) Exemption from 3-month limit The 3-month limit under paragraph (2) shall not apply to a veteran who meets the requirements described in clause (i). . (b) Funding of employment and training programs Section 16(h)(1)(E) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2025(h)(1)(E) ) is amended— (1) in clause (i)(I), by striking section 6(o)(3) and inserting any of clauses (i) through (v) of section 6(o)(3)(A) or under section 6(o)(3)(B) ; and (2) in clause (ii)(II), by striking section 6(o)(3) and inserting any of clauses (i) through (v) of section 6(o)(3)(A) or under section 6(o)(3)(B) . 3. Effective date This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the first day of the first fiscal year that begins after the date of enactment of this Act.