Work requirement bills are moving forward in Pennsylvania

The full PA Senate is moving quickly to pass work requirement bills that would place a serious burden on low-income Pennsylvanians. A vote could happen as early as Wednesday, October 17.

HB 1659, which we discussed back in May, would expand work requirements on SNAP and cause nearly 100,000 people to lose access to food stamps. In most cases, people on SNAP must already work or participate in a training program if they are between the ages of 8-50, non-disabled, and not considered vulnerable individuals.

HB 2138 would put new work requirements on the Medicaid program, which helps low-income Pennsylvanians access health insurance. "Able-bodied" adults (which includes people who lose their job or have reduced hours because they are in treatment or recovering from surgery) would have to work 20 hours per week, look for a job, or participate in job training to qualify for Medicaid.

Take Action!

• Our friends at Project Home put together an action alert, including a sample script to make phone calls and send emails to your legislators.
• Ask your friends to make phone calls as well.
• Read some of our background materials:
• 5/1/18 - We Still Need to Make Calls on Work Requirements
• 5/1/18 - Stop SNAP work requirements
• 4/18/18 - Say No to Medicaid Work Requirements
• 7/11/17 - Tell PA Legislature: Work Shouldn't Be a Medicaid Requirement