GOP Proposal Would Require Millions More Food Stamp Recipients to Work

House Republicans are pushing for stricter work requirements for food stamp recipients as part of their broader plan to reduce government spending and promote self-sufficiency. The proposed America Works Act of 2025 would require able-bodied adults without young children to work or enroll in job training to continue receiving benefits.

Key Facts:

Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) is introducing the America Works Act of 2025 to expand work requirements for food stamp recipients.
The bill mandates able-bodied adults ages 18-65 without children under 7 to work or pursue job training for at least 20 hours per week.
The House Agriculture Committee must cut at least $230 billion in spending, making food stamp reforms a key target.
Veterans and young adults who aged out of foster care would no longer be exempt from work requirements.
The bill allows exemptions for people in high-unemployment counties and those with disabilities.

The Rest of The Story:

Republicans are using the budget reconciliation process to push through significant fiscal changes, including stricter eligibility rules for government benefits.

Johnson’s bill would modify the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, by enforcing work requirements for most recipients between 18 and 65.

Under current rules, able-bodied adults aged 18-54 can receive SNAP benefits for only three months in three years unless they work at least 80 hours per month.

Johnson’s proposal raises the age limit to 65 and removes exemptions granted in 2023 to veterans and young adults exiting foster care.

The bill does, however, keep exceptions for pregnant women, individuals with disabilities, and those living in high-unemployment areas.

The changes are part of broader GOP efforts to reduce government dependency and offset costs associated with other spending priorities, such as border security and tax cuts.

Johnson insists the bill’s primary goal isn’t just cost savings but helping individuals escape poverty by encouraging employment and job training.

Work is the best pathway out of poverty. I’m reintroducing my bill to expand work requirements for SNAP benefits.
Learn more ⬇️ https://t.co/zrF77p8DU5

— Rep. Dusty Johnson (@RepDustyJohnson) February 24, 2025

Commentary:

Work is a fundamental part of achieving financial independence, and programs like SNAP should be a temporary safety net, not a long-term way of life.

Johnson’s proposal follows the principle that those who are physically able should contribute to society rather than rely on government aid indefinitely.

Expanding work requirements encourages personal responsibility and helps ensure taxpayer-funded benefits go to those who truly need them.

Critics argue that eliminating exemptions for veterans and former foster youth is too harsh.

However, work requirements don’t prevent anyone from receiving benefits—they simply require recipients to take steps toward self-sufficiency.

Many veterans and young adults aging out of foster care are fully capable of holding jobs or participating in job training programs.

Giving them a free pass does not help them in the long run; it only fosters dependency.

The government should focus on policies that promote upward mobility, not long-term welfare reliance.

The old adage holds true: a hand up is better than a handout.

Welfare reform should encourage people to develop skills, gain work experience, and ultimately become self-reliant.

Strengthening work requirements is a step in the right direction.

The Bottom Line:

House Republicans are pushing to expand work requirements for food stamp recipients as part of broader budget reforms.

The America Works Act of 2025 aims to reduce dependency and promote employment among able-bodied adults.

While some criticize the removal of exemptions, the bill aligns with the goal of making welfare a stepping stone, not a permanent solution.