S.B. 943 (S-1): SUMMARY - FOOD STAMP WORK REQUIREMENT

Senate Bill 943 (Substitute S-1 as passed by the Senate)

Sponsor: Senator Leon Stille

Committee: Families, Mental Health and Human Services

Date Completed: 8-26-98

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Social Welfare Act to provide that a person who was at least 18 years old but not over 50, and who was not exempt from participation in Work First, would not be eligible to receive food stamps for more than three months in any 36-month period unless he or she did one of the following:

-- Worked at least 80 hours during each consecutive 30-day period.

-- Performed at least the minimum number of hours of community service work activities required under Federal law during each consecutive 30-day period.

-- Participated in a work program for at least the minimum number of hours required under Federal law during each consecutive 30-day period.

This provision would not apply if Federal law or other State law required otherwise. Further, unless Federal or other State law required otherwise, a person who did not meet the above criteria would have to receive an extension of up to three months in any 18-month period if he or she met all of the following: had been identified by the FIA as a victim of domestic violence; had filed domestic violence charges with a local law enforcement agency within the previous 18 months; and was currently participating in, or had in the previous 18 months participated in, domestic violence counseling.

(Under the Act, every member of a family independence assistance group (family members, and individuals living with a family, who receive assistance) must be referred to and participate in Work First. The Act contains a list of persons who are exempt from participation, such as a child under the age of 16; the mother of a child under three months; an individual aged 65 or older; a recipient of Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability, or Medical Assistance due to disability or blindness; or the spouse of such a recipient who is the individual's full-time caregiver.)

Proposed MCL 400.57i - Legislative Analyst: G. Towne

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government. The food stamp program is a Federally funded program. Therefore, any savings realized from a reduction in expenditures caused by eligibility restrictions would be credited to Federal revenues.

- Fiscal Analyst: C. Cole

S9798\S943SB

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.