Reinstating Food Stamp Work Requirements Boosts Employment and Reduces Poverty

Analysis Reveals That Reinstating Work Requirements Enhances Welfare Outcomes by Connor D. Wolf A recent report highlights that welfare programs are more effective in reducing long-term poverty when work requirements are enforced. While welfare has historically faced criticism for potentially entrenching individuals in poverty, findings suggest that employment-focused policies can significantly improve recipients' economic prospects. The report, titled "The Power of Work," conducted by the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA), examines the impact of reinstating food stamp work requirements in Kansas. After the state resumed these requirements in 2013, it observed a notable decline in welfare dependency and a boost in employment among beneficiaries. "Welfare systems that punish work hinder individuals' ability to build a better future," stated FGA Vice President of Research Jonathan Ingram. "Implementing work requirements encourages employment, which is the cornerstone for sustainable income and prosperity." Historically, the USDA allowed states to suspend work requirements during the 2007 financial crisis, leading to rapid growth in program enrollment. Kansas was among th...