CCUSA expresses concern about new SNAP work requirement regulations

Food and Nutrition

December 20, 2018

Alexandria, Va. — Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) is deeply concerned that after Congress recently passed a bipartisan Farm Bill, the proposed SNAP Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) regulation seeks to cut off access to nutrition assistance without providing support for those impacted.

CCUSA, in its previous comments to USDA (see comments), has continually called for respecting the ability of states and local communities to request waivers from SNAP work requirements when there are insufficient jobs. These waivers respect subsidiarity and allow for a more localized response to people in need. At the same time, CCUSA has urged the administration and congressional leaders to ensure such work requirements are accompanied by effective job training and education programs. The recently passed Farm Bill takes a necessary first step in strengthening state job training programs, while today’s proposed rule seeks to circumvent that progress and limit local flexibility without providing the accompanying job training support.

CCUSA looks forward to commenting in full on the proposed rule.