WASHINGTON, DC — On Monday, April 21, Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08), along with Representatives Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Max Miller (OH-07), and Alma Adams (NC-12), introduced the Training and Nutrition Stability Act. This bipartisan legislation will close a loophole stemming from the 2018 Farm Bill, which disincentivized participation in learn-as-you-earn job training programs, like apprenticeships, through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) program.

Through the 2018 Farm Bill, Congress strengthened SNAP E&T by including paid on-the-job training as an allowable activity under the program. This included the addition of apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships as eligible programs. However, the income earned through these programs are still counted for the purposes of calculating their SNAP eligibility. This increase in income can threaten their SNAP eligibility, and SNAP E&T in turn, forcing recipients to choose between pursuing this workforce training or keeping their food benefits in the short-term under SNAP.

“Work is not a dirty word,” said Bresnahan. “In Northeastern Pennsylvania and across the country, we are facing a skilled-workforce shortage, and businesses are in desperate need of those ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work. This is exactly why we should not punish taking advantage of learn-as-you-earn programs and forcing workers to choose between participation in proven SNAP E&T programs and being able to receive their nutrition benefits.”