A report from the Economic Policy Institute reveals that these measures do not generate jobs and harm the most vulnerable
Donald Trump’s nominees to lead the Department of Agriculture and the Office of Management and Budget publicly supported the tightening of work requirements in social assistance programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid. However, a report published Friday by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) warns that these policies fail to meet their stated goals and harm low-income individuals.
«Work requirements for safety net programs are a punitive solution that does not solve any real problem», said Hilary Wething, an economist at the EPI and the author of the report. According to Wething, these measures fail to consistently increase employment but do deprive many people of essential benefits such as food assistance and healthcare.
The report denounces that these policies often target so-called «able-bodied adults without dependents» (ABAWD), who, despite not having documented disabilities or dependent children, often face health problems and caregiving responsibilities that hinder their ability to work. The document reveals that 21% of this group reports disabilities that complicate their access to employment, while 13.8% live with older adults they likely care for.
Negative Impacts of Work Requirements
The report emphasizes that these measures not only impose greater obstacles on the vulnerable population but also act as an effective cut to social protection programs. Among the most severe consequences are food and health insecurity resulting from the loss of access to SNAP and Medicaid.
Moreover, the EPI argues that the tightening of requirements does not address the structural issues faced by low-income adults in the labor market, such as the precarity of low-wage jobs and the difficulties of complying with unpredictable schedules.
Alternatives Proposed by the EPI
Instead of tightening work requirements, the report recommends implementing policies that truly facilitate access to employment, such as:
- Improving access to care services for children and the elderly.
- Reducing barriers such as unnecessary educational mandates and transportation issues.
- Promoting macroeconomic policies oriented toward full employment.
- Providing support to previously incarcerated individuals for their workforce reintegration.
The report also highlights that reducing eligibility barriers for these programs could be more effective in promoting employment. For example, it cites the expansion of Medicaid in Ohio and Michigan, where many beneficiaries reported that access to healthcare enabled them to find and maintain employment.
Despite the warnings, Trump’s nominees continue to defend these policies in their confirmation hearings, aligning with Republican congressional efforts to tighten requirements in social security programs.