WEST virginia Legislature

2016 regular session

Introduced

House Bill 4041

By Delegates folk, Sobonya, McGeehan, Faircloth, Kurcaba, Ihle, Azinger, R. Smith, Butler, J. Nelson, and Moffatt

[Introduced January 18, 2016; Referred
to the Committee on Health and Human Resources then the Judiciary.]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §9-5-24, relating to limiting able-bodied adults without dependents receipt of SNAP benefits to three months in a thirty-six month period, except in months in which the recipient is working, or is participating in a work, educational, or volunteer program for at least twenty hours per week; the Department of Health and Human Resources shall not request a waiver to provide SNAP benefits to able-bodied adults without dependents.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §9-5-24, to read as follows: 

ARTICLE 5.  MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

§9-5-24.  Requirements for certain adult recipients of SNAP benefits.

(a) All able-bodied adults without dependents, eighteen years of age to fifty years of age, who are not disabled, pregnant or responsible for the care of a minor child, may receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ("SNAP") benefits for only three months in each thirty-six month period.  Recipients are exempt from the time limit if they are employed or are participating and complying with the requirements of a work, educational or volunteer program for at least twenty hours per week. 

(b) Beginning July 1, 2016, the Department of Health and Human Resources shall not request a waiver to provide SNAP benefits to able bodied adults without dependents who are not meeting the requirements described in subsection (a).

NOTE:  The purpose of this bill is to ensure that all able bodied adults without dependents are working, or in a work program, for a minimum of twenty hours per week for continued eligibility for SNAP benefits.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.