Bipartisan Fix, Reintroduced in House to Ensure SNAP Recipients Don’t…

CEO Media Contact:
Claire Gross, Sr. Manager Public Relations
[email protected] | (646) 370-8292

Washington, D.C. – April 23, 2025 – The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) applauds the reintroduction of, the Training and Nutrition Stability Act (TNSA), in the House of Representatives—a bipartisan effort led by Representatives Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Rob Bresnahan (R-PA), Alma Adams (D-NC), Max Miller (R-OH), and Don Bacon (R-NE). This critical legislation provides a fix to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) program to ensure individuals have both food security and training, thus allowing millions of Americans to invest in their future while maintaining stability for themselves and their families.

Congress’ 2018 Farm Bill intended to strengthen access to quality employment opportunities by including paid training as an allowable component in SNAP E&T. But, the expansion of paid training inadvertently resulted in significant reduction or total loss of food assistance. TNSA will ensure that people participating in temporary paid training through E&T and other federal workforce programs —such as transitional jobs or apprenticeships that CEO and other workforce development organizations provide—do not lose access to essential SNAP food benefits.

Around 600,000 people are released from incarceration annually. Of those, 60% will remain unemployed for a year after release and experience food insecurity at twice the rate of the general population.

"Currently, individuals in high-quality, evidence-based employment and training programs risk losing their nutrition security because of temporary earnings they receive through their participation,” said Congressman Adriano Espaillat. “Rules on whether these earnings count against SNAP participants’ eligibility are applied inconsistently across federal programs and funding streams, and this misalignment in policy has created confusion and benefit cliffs for affected individuals who are working to invest in their economic future. It is critical that we work to strengthen workforce opportunities and training opportunities so that individuals are not forced to choose between employment opportunity and skills development or food security.”

“Work is not a dirty word,” said Congressman Rob 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.”

"You should never have to choose between building a better life for yourself and losing your food security,” said Congresswoman Alma Adams. “I’m proud to support the Training and Nutrition Stability Act to ensure that earnings from employment and training programs do not decrease SNAP benefits. You are not going to be successful if you’re hungry. It’s time we close the training gap so we can support those working hard to support themselves.”

"Qualified SNAP recipients should have the opportunity to work or seek the education they need to support themselves. This legislation ensures that their nutritional needs are met without forcing them to abandon their goals of breaking out of the cycle of poverty,” said Congressman Max Miller. “This bill was included in the 2024 House Agriculture Committee Farm Bill, and I look forward to seeing it move forward.”

“Investing in workforce development while preserving access to food assistance is integral to building lasting independence for people returning from incarceration as well as the millions of Americans also struggling to make ends meet,” said Sam Schaeffer, CEO of the Center for Employment Opportunities. “CEO is grateful to the leadership of Representatives Espaillat, Miller, Adams, and Bresnahan for championing The Training and Nutrition Stability Act so Americans won’t have to choose between building lasting careers and putting food on the table for their families.”

Earlier this month, Schaeffer and CEO Senior Site Supervisor William Lewis, testified before the House Committee on Agriculture to explain the efficacy of voluntary and paid workforce development training and the importance of protecting access to SNAP food assistance. Independent evaluations show that CEO participants are 48% more likely to be employed three years after release from incarceration and participants who combine transitional employment with advanced credentials like commercial driver’s licenses experience a 30% increase in post-program earnings.

In December 2024, CEO and over 50 anti-poverty, agriculture, employment training, food security, reentry and civil rights organizations from across the country formed the “We Can’t Wait” coalition. The coalition recognizes that the farm bill holds many of the most pressing issues facing Americans today and urges Congress to pass a bipartisan, comprehensive farm bill that protects and expands access to food security. The “We Can’t Wait” coalition builds upon a September 2024 letter advocating for TNSA that was signed by over 150 organizations.

TNSA’s reintroduction this April coincides with Fair Chance Month, a nationally recognized initiative asking employers, organizations, and government agencies to strengthen employment opportunities for people returning from incarceration. In recognition of Fair Chance Month, CEO launched ‘At What Cost,” a thought-provoking public awareness and advocacy campaign. ‘At What Cost’ is designed to uplift the significant social and economic benefits of investing in reentry services and direct support for people returning from incarceration in comparison to the financial and individual burden of continuing to reincarcerate.

For more information, visit ceoworks.org.

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About the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO)
The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) provides immediate, effective, and comprehensive employment services exclusively to people recently released from incarceration. CEO currently operates in 30 cities in 12 states and is dedicated to ensuring justice-impacted people have opportunities to achieve socioeconomic mobility. For more information, visit ceoworks.org.

Center for Employment Opportunities

Bipartisan Fix, Reintroduced in House to Ensure SNAP Recipients Don’t Have to Choose Between Job Training and Putting Food on the Table