U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand unveiled the Training and Nutrition Stability Act on Thursday, aiming to close existing gaps in the SNAP Employment and Training program.
Presently, earnings from job training can jeopardize an individual’s eligibility for SNAP benefits. Gillibrand’s proposed act intends to preserve essential nutritional aid for recipients while they acquire skills for better employment prospects.
Sam Schaeffer, the Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Employment Opportunities, emphasized the need for the change, pointing out the current paradox where participants may lose SNAP benefits due to wages from job training. The legislation proposes to exclude income from public workforce training when determining SNAP benefit calculations. This ensures participants remain eligible for both nutritional assistance and ongoing job training, which Gillibrand suggests could pave the way for lasting employment and financial independence.
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