Jobs and Opportunities for SNAP Act of 2023
Latest action (29 Mar 2023): Introduced
What this bill does
This bill would change work requirements for able-bodied adults receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. It would repeal a provision of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act that had suspended the standard work requirement for able-bodied adults without dependents during the COVID-19 public health emergency. It would also amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to raise the upper age limit for work requirements from 50 to 65, and to specify that the existing exemption for parents or caretakers of a dependent child applies only when that child is under age 7. The bill additionally narrows the discretionary exemptions states may grant from work requirements, reducing the percentage of the caseload states can exempt from 12 percent to 3 percent, and makes related conforming and technical changes to how state exemption allocations are calculated and reported.
The bill primarily affects SNAP recipients classified as able-bodied adults without dependents, as well as state agencies that administer the program and grant work-requirement exemptions. Expanding the age range subject to work requirements and narrowing exemptions and caretaker protections could change eligibility conditions for some current or future beneficiaries and alter states' flexibility in administering exemptions.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on March 29, 2023, by Senator John Kennedy and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. It has not received a committee vote or floor action, and per available records it did not advance further in the 118th Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Jobs and Opportunities for SNAP Act of 2023
This bill expands applicability of the work requirements for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients who are able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs). (SNAP recipients who are ABAWDs have work-related requirements in addition to the general SNAP work registration and employment and training requirements.)
Specifically, this bill applies the work requirements for ABAWDs to adults who are not over 65 years old, whereas these requirements currently apply to adults who are not over 50 years old.
Further, the ABAWD exemption for a parent or household member with responsibility for a dependent child is restricted to a dependent child under the age of seven. Currently, the child must be under the age of 18.
The bill repeals COVID-19 public health emergency waivers issued for ABAWD work requirements.
The bill also repeals an ABAWD waiver program that allows state exemptions based on an area (1) having an unemployment rate of over 10%, or (2) not having a sufficient number of jobs.
Under current law, a state agency may exempt up to 12% of SNAP recipients from the ABAWD work requirements for each fiscal year; unused exemptions may be carried over and used in a subsequent fiscal year. The bill reduces the percentage of exemptions a state agency may provide to up to 3% of SNAP recipients, and unused exemptions may not be carried over.
Common questions
- What does S. 1062 do?
- This bill would change work requirements for able-bodied adults receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. It would repeal a provision of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act that had suspended the standard work requirement for able-bodied adults without dependents during the COVID-19 public health emergency. It would also amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to raise the upper age limit for work requirements from 50 to 65, and to specify that the existing exemption for parents or caretakers of a dependent child applies only when that child is under age 7. The bill additionally narrows the discretionary exemptions states may grant from work requirements, reducing the percentage of the caseload states can exempt from 12 percent to 3 percent, and makes related conforming and technical changes to how state exemption allocations are calculated and reported. The bill primarily affects SNAP recipients classified as able-bodied adults without dependents, as well as state agencies that administer the program and grant work-requirement exemptions. Expanding the age range subject to work requirements and narrowing exemptions and caretaker protections could change eligibility conditions for some current or future beneficiaries and alter states' flexibility in administering exemptions. The bill was introduced in the Senate on March 29, 2023, by Senator John Kennedy and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. It has not received a committee vote or floor action, and per available records it did not advance further in the 118th Congress.
- Has S. 1062 become law?
- Not yet. As of 29 Mar 2023, S. 1062 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 1062?
- S. 1062 was sponsored by Sen. John Neely Kennedy [R-LA] (Republican-LA), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 1062?
- Introduced (29 Mar 2023).
Related bills in Agriculture and Food
Recognizing September 17, 2026, as National Teach Ag Day.
Food for Thought Act of 2026
American Seafood Competitiveness Act of 2026
ROMA Act
Bill100 mirrors the public U.S. legislative record from Congress.gov and GovTrack and adds plain-English AI summaries. It is an information tool, not legal, compliance or lobbying advice, and it is not affiliated with the U.S. Congress or any government agency. AI summaries can simplify or omit detail — every bill links to the official source; verify there before you rely on it.