For years, the debate over work requirements for government assistance programs like SNAP (food stamps) and Medicaid has been a political battleground. Supporters argue that these policies encourage self-sufficiency, while critics say they create unnecessary barriers for the most vulnerable Americans.
Both sides are gearing up for another round of debates over the role of government assistance and the expectations placed on recipients. If work requirements expand further, millions of Americans could see new hurdles to accessing food and healthcare. If they’re rolled back, questions about government spending and self-sufficiency will remain front and center. But what do these work requirements actually entail, and what changes are on the horizon?
What Are Work Requirements, Really?
Many federal assistance programs come with strings attached—one of the biggest being work requirements. Under current rules, able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) receiving SNAP benefits must work, volunteer, or participate in job training for at least 80 hours per month to continue receiving aid beyond three months in a three-year period unless they are exempt.
However, work requirements vary significantly across states:
· Some states impose stricter work requirements, while others use waivers to reduce restrictions, particularly in areas with high unemployment rates or economic instability.
· State policies are often influenced by local economies, cost-of-living differences, and political priorities.
For example, states with higher costs of living may be more likely to offer exemptions or assistance programs to offset the impact of work mandates, while states with lower costs and conservative leadership may push for stricter enforcement to encourage workforce participation.
Medicaid work requirements, which have been proposed but remain controversial, would require recipients to prove they are working or engaging in qualifying activities to maintain their health coverage.
The Push to Expand Work Requirements
Work requirements for welfare programs gained traction in the 1990s during welfare reform under President Clinton. The 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) introduced work mandates for TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), shaping current welfare policies.
In recent years, Republican lawmakers have pushed to expand these requirements. The 2023 debt ceiling agreement increased the age limit for work requirements in SNAP from 49 to 54 for certain recipients, although exemptions were added for veterans, homeless individuals, and those exiting foster care.
Some conservatives argue that work requirements should be applied more broadly across all welfare programs to reduce government dependency.
The Critics Speak Out
Opponents of work requirements argue that these rules do more harm than good. Studies have shown that many people who lose benefits due to work mandates don’t actually find employment; instead, they struggle with food insecurity or go without medical care.
Critics also point out that many people on SNAP and Medicaid already work but earn too little to make ends meet. For those facing health issues, caregiving responsibilities, or job market barriers, work requirements can push them further into poverty.
Will Medicaid Work Requirements Make a Comeback?
Though the Biden administration largely dismantled state-level Medicaid work requirements, some states are still fighting to reinstate them. In Arkansas, for example, a 2018 pilot program resulted in over 18,000 people losing coverage before it was struck down by the courts. However, with shifting political tides, future administrations could bring work requirements back into the conversation.
