Assigned to RAGE FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2121
SNAP; mandatory employment and training
Purpose
Requires the Department of Economic Security (DES) to require able-bodied adults under
60 years old who are receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to
participate in a mandatory employment and training program, as prescribed by federal law, unless
the recipient meets criteria for exemption.
Background
SNAP is a federal program that provides food benefits to low-income families to
supplement their grocery budget and help the family afford nutritious food. To be eligible for
SNAP benefits, an applicant must meet specific age, household, employment and income
requirements (USDA).
As defined by federal law, employment and training program means a program that
contains case management services such as comprehensive intake assessments, individualized
service plans, progress monitoring or coordination with service providers. DES is required to
implement and design an employment and training program in consultation with the Workforce
Arizona Council or in consultation with private employers or employer organizations if that is
deemed to be more effective or efficient. This program must be approved by the U.S. Secretary of
Agriculture for the purpose of assisting members of households participating in SNAP in gaining
skills, training, work or experience that will: 1) increase the ability of household members to obtain
regular employment; and 2) meet state or local workforce needs (7 U.S.C. ยง 2015(d)).
Arizona's SNAP program, the Arizona Nutrition Assistance Program, has income
eligibility requirements that must be met in addition to the federal eligibility requirements. To
qualify for SNAP, the countable resources for a household may not exceed $3,000, such as cash
or money in a bank account, or $4,500 if at least one member of the household is 60 years old or
older or is disabled. Certain resources like a home or social security income are not counted in
determining resources. A one-person household must earn no more than $19,584 in annual gross
income. This threshold increases by $6,996 for each additional person in the household (USDA).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires DES to require able-bodied adults under 60 years old who are receiving SNAP
benefits to participate in a mandatory employment and training program, as prescribed by
federal law, unless the recipient is:
a) in compliance with work registration requirements under Title IV of the Social Security
Act or the Federal-State Unemployment Compensation System; FACT SHEET
H.B. 2121
Page 2
b) a parent or other member of a household who is responsible for the care of an incapacitated
person or a dependent child under six years old;
c) a bona fide student enrolled at least half time in a recognized school, training program or
institution of higher education, unless the recipient is ineligible to participate under federal
law;
d) a regular participant in a drug addiction or an alcoholic treatment and rehabilitation
program;
e) employed a minimum of 30 hours per week or is receiving weekly earnings equal to the
minimum hourly rate under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1939, multiplied by 30 hours;
or
f) 16, 17 or 18 years old and attending school, enrolled in an employment training program
on at least a half-time basis or is not the head of a household.
2. Specifies that a person who is noncompliant with the work registration requirements of Title
IV of the Social Security Act or the Federal-State Unemployment Compensation System is
noncompliant with employment and training program requirements.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
APPROP 2/5/25 DP 11-6-0-1
3
rd
Read 2/25/25 33-27-0
Prepared by Senate Research
March 17, 2025
JT/ci