Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-Texas) requested in a letter to the Texas Workforce Commission on Thursday that the state take part in a pilot program that aims to help families on food stamps find employment.
The pilot program was included in the farm bill, which took steps to reform the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program and the Welfare Reform Act of 1996.
“While I think we could have done more to improve nutrition assistance so it makes more efficient use of taxpayer dollars and better serves families in need, I’m pleased that we were able to include some SNAP reforms in the Farm Bill,” Neugebauer, a member of the House Committee on Agriculture and the Farm Bill Conference Committee, said. “This pilot program includes work requirements and employment training to create opportunities for Americans to move off food stamps. I would be proud if my home state could be a forerunner in demonstrating the success of these reforms.”
Participating in the pilot program, Neugebauer said, would expand efforts to get SNAP recipients back to work and allow the state greater flexibility in implementing new practices.
“Spending on SNAP has grown tremendously over the past few years,” Neugebauer said. “Instead of just bandaging the problem, we should focus on creating genuine opportunity that will improve the quality of life for the families who need it most.”