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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
SNAP; mandatory employment and training
Purpose
Requires the Department of Economic Security (DES) to require able-bodied adults under 60 years old who are receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to participate in a mandatory employment and training program, as prescribed by federal law, unless the recipient meets criteria for exemption.
Background
SNAP is a federal program that provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget and help the family afford nutritious food. To be eligible for SNAP benefits, an applicant must meet specific age, household, employment and income requirements Arizona’s SNAP program, the Arizona Nutrition Assistance Program, provides nutrition assistance to eligible low-income households and is administered in accordance with federal SNAP requirements. Eligibility is primarily based on household income, which generally may not exceed 130 percent of the federal poverty level for gross income and 100 percent of the federal poverty level for net income, adjusted by household size. Arizona uses broad-based categorical eligibility, under which most households are not subject to a resource test. Income eligibility limits are updated annually by the USDA (USDA).
As defined by federal law, a SNAP employment and training program includes case management services such as comprehensive intake assessments, individualized service plans, progress monitoring or coordination with service providers. DES is required to design and implement an employment and training program in consultation with the Workforce Arizona Council or, if deemed more effective or efficient, in consultation with private employers or employer organizations. The program must be approved by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and is intended to assist members of households participating in SNAP with gaining skills, training, work or experience that will increase the ability of household members to obtain regular employment and meet state or local workforce needs (7 U.S.C. § 2015(d)).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires DES to require able-bodied adults under 60 years old who are receiving SNAP benefits to participate in a mandatory employment and training program, as prescribed by federal law, unless the recipient is:
a) in compliance with work registration requirements under Title IV of the Social Security Act or the Federal-State Unemployment Compensation System;
b) a parent or other member of a household who is responsible for the care of an incapacitated person or a dependent child under six years old;
c) a bona fide student enrolled at least half time in a recognized school, training program or institution of higher education, unless the recipient is ineligible to participate under federal law;
d) a regular participant in a drug addiction or an alcoholic treatment and rehabilitation program;
e) employed a minimum of 30 hours per week or is receiving weekly earnings equal to the minimum hourly rate under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1939, multiplied by 30 hours; or
f) 16, 17 or 18 years old and attending school, enrolled in an employment training program on at least a half-time basis or is not the head of a household.
2. Specifies that a person who is noncompliant with the work registration requirements of Title IV of the Social Security Act or the Federal-State Unemployment Compensation System is noncompliant with employment and training program requirements.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 2, 2026
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