(WNY News Now) – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is set to unveil a new bill aimed at preventing jobseekers from losing their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits when participating in work training programs.
Washington -U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand unveils the Training and Nutrition Stability Act, aiming to protect jobseekers from losing SNAP benefits when earning wages through job training programs, addressing a critical issue in the SNAP Employment and Training program.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand revealed her Training and Nutrition Stability Act, a legislative move designed to shield jobseekers from the prospect of losing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits while participating in job training programs. This legislation seeks to eliminate existing loopholes in the SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) program, which can inadvertently penalize SNAP recipients for their participation in workforce development by cutting their nutritional assistance.
The Training and Nutrition Stability Act intends to safeguard SNAP recipients, ensuring they receive essential nutritional support while honing their skills, pursuing employment opportunities, and striving for self-sufficiency. Currently, these individuals face the difficult dilemma of choosing between job training and putting food on the table.
Senator Gillibrand emphasized, “My Training and Nutrition Stability Act is a commonsense fix that will provide jobseekers with sustained nutritional assistance as they seek to expand their skill sets and secure good-paying jobs so that they no longer need to rely on SNAP. I’m committed to getting this bill passed and making sure working families have the support they need to get back on their feet.”
This legislation has garnered support from various organizations, including the Center for Employment Opportunities, which recognizes the need to support individuals seeking to improve their lives through job training while maintaining their access to food assistance.
The SNAP Employment and Training program offers a range of services to aid SNAP recipients in securing employment, including work experience, job search assistance, and vocational programs. Additionally, it provides essential supportive services, such as transportation reimbursements, child care support, and safety equipment.
Currently, under SNAP E&T program rules, participants risk losing their SNAP eligibility due to income earned through job training programs. The Training and Nutrition Stability Act will rectify this issue by excluding wages earned from public workforce training programs from SNAP income calculations. This change will empower participants to retain their nutritional benefits while progressing through high-quality training programs, ultimately leading to improved employment prospects, self-sufficiency, and brighter futures.
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