Booming Trump economy is right time for able-bodied adults to trade food stamps for jobs

Thanks to President Donald Trump’s pro-growth policies, the United States is in the midst of one of the best job markets in American history. Last week’s job report showed that 266,000 jobs were added in November.

Under this administration, we now have an unemployment rate of 3.5% — the lowest in 50 years. We have achieved record low unemployment rates for African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, Americans with disabilities and Americans without a high school diploma. Americans who were out of work during the Great Recession are living the lives of independence and dignity that come with gainful employment.

Even so, there’s more that can be done to help those who are still out of work to move back into the labor force and reap the benefits from the booming economy. That’s why the Trump administration recently updated requirements that adults who are able bodied either work or prepare for work in order to receive food stamps from the government.

SNAP is a lifeline, not a way of life

While current law requires participants to either work or participate in a work program for at least 20 hours a week in order to receive food stamps for longer than three months, loopholes have given states the ability to ignore the law and waive those important requirements. This has allowed millions of Americans to languish on the program, rather than being empowered to find a job. As a result, the majority of the roughly 3 million adults ages 18-49 who are without a disability, without dependents and receive food stamps are not working.

Many states have ignored the fact that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was designed to be a lifeline for those who are in need, not a way of life for able-bodied Americans. The administration’s new rule will continue to protect this safety net for those who need it while preventing states from keeping citizens stuck on food stamps. 

The update is not about children, seniors or individuals who are caregivers for dependent children or incapacitated loved ones. Rather, it is focused on people 18 to 49 years old without dependents, and helping them find a job. Under the new rule, they can continue to receive assistance if they work for pay, engage in volunteer work, get job and skills training, seek their General Educational Development diploma or other basic education, or participate in a workfare program. They simply need to take steps to improve their long-term economic prospects.

The administration’s new rule will protect this safety net for those who desperately need it, but also will restore the original purpose of food stamps: guaranteeing that states help participants find work, rather than keeping citizens stuck on the program.  

No 'lost causes' in America

That’s because the Trump administration believes that there are no “lost causes” in America, and that every person deserves a chance to work toward their best life. With so many open jobs in America, there has never been a better time to help more families accomplish their American dream. In fact, there are more job openings in America than people to fill them.

The Trump economy has already helped more than 6 million Americans break away from food stamps and in the process given these millions a sense of hope, dignity and independence. The new rule builds on this American success story and brings millions more into this brighter future.

Every person deserves a chance to accomplish their hopes and dreams so they can grow their career and support their families. With 7 million open jobs, the truth is that we need their help — and we need it now.

Russ Vought is acting director of the White House Office of Management and Budget. Follow him on Twitter: @RussVought45