Congress moves to strip SNAP work requirements, expanding food aid
H.R. 7522 — Improving Access to Nutrition Act of 2026 · Filed by Alma Adams (D-NC) · 15 cosponsors · Introduced Feb 12, 2026 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill removes work requirements from SNAP (food stamps) that currently apply to able-bodied adults without dependents, eliminating the threat of benefit loss for people unable to meet work mandates. The bill also eliminates a separate provision requiring states to fund work-opportunity programs tied to SNAP eligibility. The stated rationale is that work requirements reduce participation, disproportionately harm Black Americans and homeless families, and studies show they do not reduce poverty.
Why we flagged it
The bill's core function is to eliminate work requirements from SNAP eligibility and remove state funding mandates for work-opportunity programs. This is a straightforward policy change to expand food-assistance access.
What the text implies
- Removal of work requirements may increase SNAP enrollment and federal spending on benefits, though the bill does not include offsetting budget provisions or funding mechanisms.
- States currently receiving additional allocations for work-opportunity programs will lose that funding stream, potentially affecting workforce development infrastructure in those states.
- The 180-day effective date and 90-day hiring grace period create a transition window that may cause administrative confusion or strategic hiring/firing by employers and states.
- Conforming amendments to the Internal Revenue Code (Section 51) and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act suggest broader workforce-policy implications beyond SNAP, but the text is too fragmented to assess full scope.
Who it affects
Ordinary people—particularly low-income adults, Black Americans, homeless individuals, and families with children—gain access to food assistance without the threat of losing benefits due to inability to meet work mandates. The bill removes a barrier to nutrition support for vulnerable populations, with no offsetting cost to the general public.
Who stands to gain
- Low-income individuals and families (primary beneficiaries of expanded SNAP access)
- Food retailers and grocers (increased SNAP redemption volume)
Named in the bill
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, Internal Revenue Code Section 51, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Black Americans, Homeless families, States (workforce development programs)
Where it stands
15 cosponsors: 15 Democrats.
- Feb 12, 2026 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in House”
- Feb 12, 2026 — Referred to House Committee on Agriculture · Congress.gov: “Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture”
Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.
How this was measured
Analysis — Quorum's AI read the full bill text on Jun 8, 2026; transparency and hidden-provision scores are compared against the median of 16,222 analysed bills.
Status and sponsors — Congress.gov's bill record — actions, committee referrals and cosponsors — loaded nightly. The timeline shows status changes, not every procedural action.
As of — page rendered 2026-10-20.
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