Most people who turn to SNAP already work. However, much of the low-wage workforce now has unpredictable, fluctuating schedules and juggles multiple jobs. As a result, if the rule takes effect, many people will lose food assistance simply because they didn’t get enough hours in a given month, even if they were working all of the hours that were available to them.
Many people who do manage to get enough hours at work will still lose their benefits because of the red tape this rule would create. It can be difficult to report your work hours—for example, at least one state requires people to report their work hours online, but the website shuts down after work hours. More than 18,000 people in Arkansas have lost Medicaid since similar work-reporting requirements took effect in that state.
Meanwhile, taking food away may actually make it harder for people to work, as research shows that when people are have access to basics such as adequate nutrition, they’re better able to work and have higher earnings.