Able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) who receive SNAP benefits in Kentucky may be leaving the program at higher rates due to the reinstatement of work-related time limits, according to a new Urban Institute analysis. After Kentucky reinstated time limits in 2017 for most SNAP participants in the ABAWD category, many left the program without evidence that their health and well-being has improved after exiting SNAP.
Our analysis of SNAP caseload data from January to September 2018 finds that:
• The number of able-bodied adults without dependents receiving SNAP declined 30 percent compared to a 12 percent decline in the overall SNAP caseload. While the decline in participation among participants in the ABAWD category cannot be solely attributed to time limits, the limits appear to account for a significant portion of exits from the program.
• At least 13,122 SNAP participants in the ABAWD category lost benefits because they reached the three-month time limit—representing 20 to 22 percent of the ABAWD caseload during that time frame.
• In counties with similar economic challenges and where caseload trends were nearly identical prior to the policy change, the ABAWD caseload declined more dramatically in counties where time limits were reinstated— 44 percent compared to 2 percent decline in eight counties where the time limits are still waived.
Federal rules require able-bodied adults without dependents to work 80 hours per month if they receive SNAP benefits for more than three months in a three-year period.
Kentucky has reinstated work-related time limits for able-bodied adults without dependents who receive SNAP in all but eight of its 120 counties—even though many counties still qualify for time limit waivers under federal criteria due to high unemployment and other economic challenges.
The federal government is considering a proposal to tighten the criteria that states use to apply for waivers to suspend time limits and work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents who receive SNAP. According to a USDA estimate, the proposal could result in 755,000 people losing SNAP benefits nationally in FY 2020.
A public comment period on the proposal ends April 2, 2019.
Research shows that able-bodied adults without dependents face significant barriers to work, including health challenges and educational/skill limitations. The rapid loss of SNAP benefits could lead to greater food insecurity and poorer health outcomes among this population.
Kentucky Voices for Health