HR0834 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0834 LRB100 17163 ALS 32318 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) offers nutrition assistance to low-income individuals and families; and

WHEREAS, While SNAP is intended to ensure that no one should fear going hungry, it also reflects the importance of work and responsibility; and

WHEREAS, SNAP rules require all recipients meet work requirements unless they are exempt because of age or disability; and

WHEREAS, Some of these working individuals are ABAWDs, or able bodied adults without dependents, who must meet work requirements to maintain SNAP eligibility; and

WHEREAS, ABAWDs can only receive SNAP benefits for three months in three years if they do not meet the work requirement, which requires an ABAWD to work at least 80 hours per month, participate in qualifying education and training activities 80 hours a month, or comply with a workforce program; and

WHEREAS, The three-month time limit on ABAWDs is part of the law that governs the operation of SNAP and has been in effect since 1996; and

WHEREAS, States can apply for a waiver from the three-month time limit, which would allow ABAWDs to be eligible for SNAP without meeting the ABAWD work requirement; and

WHEREAS, Several other states, including Maine, Georgia, and Alabama, have chosen not to seek an ABAWD time limit work waiver from the federal government, and as a result have seen a decrease in SNAP participation; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that reinstating the work requirement for ABAWDs in Illinois will encourage work-ready adults to be self-reliant and independent; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage the Department of Human Services to let Illinois' federal time limit waiver expire and not seek another waiver, so that ABAWDs will actively meet employment or education requirements, boosting our state's economy and saving our state money with fewer Illinoisans reliant on SNAP benefits.