The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program allows no- and low-income people and households to buy nutritious foods.
In June last year, the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 expanded the 80-hour-a-month work requirement for SNAP by increasing the age limit on able-bodied adults without dependents from 49 to 52, expanding further to 54 starting this October. Pregnant people, homeless individuals, veterans, people with physical or mental limitations and people aged 24 or younger and in foster care on their 18th birthday are exempt.
Last November, the Florida Department of Children and Families, which administers the federal SNAP program on the state level, expanded its own definition to include adults up through 59 years old and increased the mandatory employment and training program (SNAP E&T) from 80 hours every month to 120.
A bill passed this year codified that change into state law and people — in some cases, everyone in the household — can be sanctioned and lose SNAP benefits if they fail to meet requirements or complete the required reports.
“The bill replaces hand-outs with hand-ups," bill sponsor Rep. Adam Anderson, R-Palm Harbor said.
Critics say the change endangers older residents.
"Imposing work requirements on older Floridians will cause enormous hardship to people whose food assistance is cut off as a sanction," said the nonprofit Florida Policy Institute, which pointed out that almost 7% of Floridians aged 50-59 and 8.5% 60 and older are food insecure.
The move comes after 2.8 million Floridians saw their SNAP benefits reduced after emergency allotments ended at the end of the COVID pandemic.
The state also declined to participate in the federal government’s Summer EBT program that would have provided $120 for groceries over the summer to each eligible child who qualifies for free and reduced-price lunches during the school year.
About 2.1 million low-income kids could’ve qualified for more than $250 million in federal aid. But the DeSantis administration argued against it, saying that existing state and federal food banks and distribution centers provide enough.
New Florida law creates transition program for 'benefit cliff'
The new law, HB 1267, also addresses the "benefit cliff" that happens when beneficiaries make too much money to continue receiving SNAP benefits but not enough to pay their bills. Fear of that drop could keep recipients from trying to advance their careers, according to a House analysis of the bill.
“Benefit cliffs create a financial disincentive for low-income individuals to earn more income due to the destabilization and uncertainty that often results from a loss in benefits," the analysis reads, "Especially when the benefit lost was essential to a parent’s ability to reliably work.”
The high costs of housing and child care are a significant part of that, the analysis said.
The law does not provide any further financial relief but does call for a new case management and education system to help families transition to self-sufficiency. It also requires the use of an unspecified financial forecasting tool to "demonstrate future financial impacts of the participant's change in income and benefits over time," and exit surveys with results to be reported annually to the Florida Legislature.
"We want smooth transitions for those moving from public assistance to financial independence," Anderson said. "No family should choose between a pay increase and receiving benefits.”
The bill also creates a program to provide financial assistance to families who no longer qualify for school readiness program funding.
What is SNAP?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that provides assistance to low- and no-income people to help them buy food. It grew out of the nearly century-old national food stamp program and was renamed in the 2008 farm bill. SNAP is part of the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
The federal program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In Florida, SNAP is managed by the Florida Department of Children and Families Office of Economic Self-Sufficiency (ESS).
What can I buy with SNAP benefits in Florida?
Households can use food assistance benefits to buy breads, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, poultry, dairy, and plants and seeds to grow food for your household to eat.
Households cannot use food assistance benefits to buy nonfood items such as pet foods, soaps, paper products, household supplies, grooming items, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, vitamins, medicines, food to eat in the store, or hot foods.
Who is eligible for SNAP in Florida?
SNAP eligibility is based on income, resources, and the size of your household. Eligibility rules are set at the federal level but individual states may change them. In Florida:
- You must be a Florida resident and a U.S. citizen or qualified noncitizen and be able to prove your identity. You must have a Social Security number or proof you have applied for one.
- Healthy adults, 18 to 50 years of age, who do not have dependent children or are not pregnant, may receive SNAP benefits for 3 months in a 3-year period if they are not working or participating in a work or work training program.
- Most households must pass a gross income limit less than or equal to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Some household expenses — shelter expenses, dependent care, medical expenses, child support paid, utility deductions, earned income deduction — may be subtracted from the total monthly income in the food assistance budget.
- Households must report when their total monthly gross income exceeds 130% of the Federal Poverty Level for their household size and when work hours of able-bodied adults fall below 80 hours per month. The household must report these changes within 10 days after the end of the month of the change.
There are other restrictions for the amount of assets in the household and dealing with child support.
What is SNAP E&T?
The SNAP E&T program allows able-bodied adults without dependents to get education and skills for employment while meeting the mandatory work requirements.
As of July 1, anyone who is "who is 18 to 59 years of age, inclusive; who does not have children under the age of 18 in his or her home; who does not qualify for an exemption; and who is determined by the department to be eligible, to participate in an employment and training program" must participate in the program for 40 hours per week."
If the participant has not earned a high school diploma or equivalent, under the new law they may choose to spend at least 20 hours a week instead in adult general education or high school equivalency preparation to satisfy the work activity requirement.
Who is ineligible for Florida SNAP benefits?
Reasons for SNAP ineligibility include:
- Conviction of drug trafficking
- Fleeing a felony warrant
- Breaking SNAP Program rules
- Noncitizens without a qualified status
- Students attending an institution of higher education at least half time, in some circumstances
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