WASHINGTON – Congressman Max Miller, R-Rocky River, and three bipartisan members of Congress have introduced legislation aimed at helping recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program become self-sufficient.

The Training and Nutrition Stability Act allows jobseekers in qualified employment programs to keep their nutrition benefits while they pursue work, education, or workforce training. This prevents SNAP recipients from having to choose between food and work.

“Qualified SNAP recipients should not be penalized for working or seeking the education they need to support themselves. This legislation ensures that their nutritional needs are met without forcing them to abandon their goals of breaking out of the cycle of poverty. This bill will benefit eligible SNAP recipients and taxpayers alike in the long run,” Miller said.

U.S. Reps. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY13), Marc Molinaro (R-NY19), and Alma Adams, Ph.D. (D-NC12) joined Miller in introducing the legislation.

“Currently, individuals in high-quality, evidence-based employment and training programs risk losing their nutrition security because of temporary earnings they receive through their participation,” said Espaillat. “Rules on whether these earnings count against SNAP participants’ eligibility are applied inconsistently across federal programs and funding streams, and this misalignment in policy has created confusion and benefit cliffs for affected individuals who are working to invest in their economic future. It is critical that we work to strengthen workforce opportunities and training opportunities so that individuals are not forced to choose between employment opportunity and skills development or food security.” 

“Under current law, participants in temporary job training programs are at risk of losing their SNAP benefits as they seek permanent employment. This bipartisan bill will strengthen the SNAP program and ensure job seekers who are working to advance their careers are not unfairly penalized,” said Molinaro.

“Food security programs shouldn’t punish people for building skills and seeking employment,” said Adams. “That’s why the Training and Nutrition Stability Act ensures that earnings from employment and training programs do not decrease SNAP benefits for hungry families, nor prevent participation in federal job-training programs where SNAP eligibility is a requirement. Making the choice to participate in job training should reduce food insecurity, not perpetuate it. This bill helps ensure the original intent of bipartisan legislation that included subsidized employment and apprenticeship as part of SNAP employment and training activities.”

“The Training and Nutrition Stability Act is a common-sense solution to help SNAP participants put food on the table for their families while completing highly effective employment and training activities that build bridges to family-sustaining wages. This bill will have a huge impact helping our members—human services professionals across the country—provide services in their communities that are tailored to what SNAP recipients need and support their path to economic mobility,” said Matthew Lyons, Senior Director of Policy & Practice, American Public Human Services Association (APHSA). 

“CEO applauds Reps. Espaillat, Adams, Miller, and Molinaro for their leadership in developing this bipartisan legislation,” said Sam Schaeffer, Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Employment Opportunities. “The Training and Nutrition Stability Act will ensure that participants in SNAP Employment & Training and other federal workforce programs won’t have to choose between job training that will help them find economic security and putting food on the table. More than 500,000 valuable members of our future workforce return from prison each year eager to restart their lives with a quality job. H.R. 3087 will help these individuals gain new skills and transition smoothly to permanent employment and self-sufficiency, all while maintaining critical nutrition support during their training program.” 

Click here to read the bill in its entirety.

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