A new bill has been introduced in Congress with the aim of helping food stamp recipients keep more of their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits while enrolled in courses and working part time.
The proposal, called the Food Eligibility for Education and Development (FEED) Act and introduced by Republican Senator Jon Husted of Ohio, would let young adults in career and technical education (CTE) programs work part time without risking their benefits.
Why It Matters
Current rules can discourage low-income students from participating in CTE programs because their earnings may reduce or eliminate their family’s SNAP benefits, according to Husted. By excluding those wages from household income calculations, the proposal aims to remove that barrier.
Husted’s office estimates that “as many as 50,000 Ohioans aged 18 to 21 are not taking advantage of work-based learning programs.”
What To Know
SNAP benefit amounts are based on a household’s income, expenses and family size. It takes into account a household’s gross monthly income and compares it to the federal poverty level. Certain deductions are then applied, such as housing costs, child care and medical expenses for seniors or people with disabilities.
The bill would update Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility rules so students age 18 to 21 enrolled in CTE programs can work part time without their earnings counting against their or their family’s current SNAP benefits.
“Under current SNAP eligibility rules, students from low-income families who earn wages via their enrollment in CTE programs risk losing their SNAP benefits because their earnings count toward the collective household income,” a press release from Husted reads.
Husted said the bill is a correction to “outdated” rules that can deter participation in CTE programs by students from low-income families.
CTE programs typically prepare learners for careers in fields such as advanced manufacturing, health sciences and information technology. They combine classroom instruction with hands-on skill training and work experience, and they often connect students with local employers for internships and apprenticeships.
More than 130,000 high school students in Ohio are enrolled in CTE programs across career centers and community colleges.
What People Are Saying
Senator Jon Husted, in a September 4 press release: “Students enrolled in career and technical education programs are working hard to prepare for high-skill, high-demand jobs. My bill corrects outdated SNAP laws so CTE students enrolled in SNAP can continue their education without jeopardizing their families’ benefits.”
What Happens Next
The bill has been introduced in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
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