HB 2122
Initials JB/GG Page 1 Caucus & COW
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-seventh Legislature
First Regular Session
House: APPROP DP 11-6-0-1
HB 2122: SNAP; work requirement waivers; exemptions
Sponsor: Representative Willoughby, LD 13
Caucus & COW
Overview
Prohibits the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) from seeking, applying,
accepting or renewing any waiver of work requirement for able-bodied adults without
dependents unless it is required by federal law or authorized by state law.
History
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that provides
nutrition benefits to low-income individuals and families that are used at stores to purchase
food. Individuals must apply in the state in which thy currently live and meet certain
requirements. DES receives and reviews applications of eligible recipients for SNAP benefits.
Federal law prohibits an individual from participating in SNAP as a member of any
household if, during the preceding 36-month period, the individual received SNAP benefits
for not less than three months (consecutive or otherwise) during which the individual did not:
1) work 20 hours or more per week, averaged monthly;
2) participate in and comply with the requirements of a work program for 20 hours or
more per week, as determined by the state agency;
3) participate in and comply with the requirements of a workfare program or a
comparable program established by a state or political subdivision of a state; or
4) receive federal benefits.
Additionally, on request of a state agency and with the support of the state's chief executive
officer, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) may waive the applicability of certain
work requirements for SNAP to any group of individuals in the state if the Secretary makes
a determination that the area in which the individuals reside has an unemployment rate of
over 10% or does not have a sufficient number of jobs to provide employment for the
individuals (7 U.S.C. § 2015(o)(4)).
Additionally, for FYs 2020 through 2023, a state agency may provide a number of exemptions
such that the average monthly number of exemptions in effect during the fiscal year does not
exceed 12% of the number of covered individuals in the state, as estimated by the Secretary,
adjusted by the Secretary to reflect changes in the state's caseload and the Secretary's
estimate of changes in the proportion of members of households that receive SNAP benefits
covered by waivers (7 U.S.C. § 2015 (o)(6)(E)).
An identical bill was introduced in the 56
th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session and was vetoed
by the Governor (HB2503 SNAP; waivers; exemptions).
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note HB 2122
Initials JB/GG Page 2 Caucus & COW
Provisions
1. Prohibits DES from seeking, applying, accepting or renewing any waiver of work
requirement for able-bodied adults without dependents unless it is required by federal
law or authorized by state law. (Sec. 1)
2. Forbids DES from exercising the state's option to provide any exemptions from the federal
work requirement unless authorized by state law. (Sec. 1)