by Christen Smith
Pennsylvania’s work requirement waiver for food stamps now lasts through Aug. 31, 2025.
This is despite recent urging from Republican House lawmakers to apply the mandate to able-bodied adults with no dependents. State data shows nearly 200,000 residents of the more than 2 million enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, fall into this category.
Without a waiver, able-bodied adults would have to work at least 20 hours a week or spend the equivalent amount of time in a workforce development program. Until the requirement is met, benefits would be limited to three months over a three-year period.
Pennsylvania has taken advantage of the waiver on and off throughout the last 20 years.
In a letter sent to Department of Human Services Secretary Val Arkoosh, 39 Republican House lawmakers said waiving the work requirement prolongs government dependency and worsens the state’s labor shortage.
It’s a longstanding issue for lower chamber Republicans who want to see fraud-reduction reforms in the program. Data taken from the OSIG’s 2017-18 Fiscal Year Annual Report shows the agency saved Pennsylvania more than $75 million in benefits that would have been incorrectly paid. It also projected a cost-benefit of nearly $12 for every $1 spent on investigative activities.
Welfare expansion has also outpaced population growth. Pennsylvania has only gained 700,000 residents since 2000, while SNAP participation has ballooned more from 760,000 to 2 million – an increase of more than 200%.
During a February committee hearing, the Foundation for Government Accountability said weakness in program design diverts benefits away from those who truly need them and into the hands of those living above the income limits – even millionaires.
Human services spending accounts for 42% of the state’s budget, though it’s mostly funded by federal appropriations.
Many of those programs go beyond food stamps, supporters say. In an analysis from the Urban Institute, able-bodied adults are considered a “challenging” group to serve. These beneficiaries are more likely to be homeless or live with a mental or physical condition that doesn’t qualify as a disability, even though it makes working unrealistic.
The research also showed that income decreases for residents who only receive benefits for three months suggesting that time limits do not encourage employment.
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Christen Smith is Pennsylvania editor for The Center Square newswire service and co-host of Pennsylvania in Focus, a weekly podcast on America’s Talking Network. Recognized by Editor and Publisher Magazine as one of the media industry’s “Top 25 Under 35” in 2024.
