After the “Great Recession”: Excluding “Able-Bodied” Adults from Food Entitlements in the United States

ABSTRACT

A little-known provision to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), excluding those who are “able-bodied adults without dependents” (ABAWDs) from accessing long-term benefits without conforming to work requirements or eligibility guidelines, was recently reinstated at federal and state levels. States have considerable discretion in implementing the ABAWD provision, resulting in differential access to SNAP benefits. This article provides an analysis of the historical and political context of the ABAWD provision and its relevance to social work. An examination of several states’ different approaches to implementing the ABAWD rule underscores the limits of this policy and the consequent need for social work engagement and advocacy.

KEYWORDS:

• ABAWD
• food insecurity
• SNAP
• social work

Notes

^1. In-depth interview project with food justice advocates in the US is currently in process (IRB protocol number H14-149). The purpose is to research state-level advocacy to improve the SNAP program and food security.

^2. The SNAP education and training program began in 1985 with the purpose of assisting recipients to move toward self-sufficiency (Gragg & Pawling, 2012). Job search or job search training does not qualify as a work activity for ABAWDs. Job search or job search training can be included into the average 20 hours a week if it is part of an official state E&T program. State agencies can allow ABAWDs to fulfill their work requirement by permitting a 30-day job search period for the first month of receiving SNAP. However, this job search stipulation is only allowable for ABAWDs once.

^3. The Ohio Association of Foodbanks (OAF) conducted an assessment of 4,145 ABAWDs in Franklin County between 2013 and 2015 (Ohio Association of Food Banks, 2015). The evaluation indicated that many of these individuals struggled with access to reliable transportation; approximately one third suffered from undiagnosed physical or mental health conditions; and many were unable to pass educational requirements or faced felony restrictions that prevented them from volunteering or enrolling in workforce programs.