The "Ending the Cycle of Dependency Act of 2025" modifies work requirements for SNAP benefits and establishes new work requirements for Medicaid recipients aged 19-59, with certain exemptions.
Eric Burlison
Representative
MO-7
The "Ending the Cycle of Dependency Act of 2025" modifies work requirements for both the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 and the Social Security Act. It raises the age limit for exemption from work requirements for SNAP benefits and mandates that certain Medicaid recipients between the ages of 19 and 59 must complete at least 80 hours of work, community service, or a work program per month to maintain eligibility. The bill outlines specific exemptions to these work requirements, including individuals with medical conditions, pregnant individuals, and caretakers of young children. States are allowed to disenroll individuals from Medicaid if they do not comply with the work requirements and federal funding is unavailable.
New "Ending the Cycle of Dependency Act" Could Kick People Off Medicaid, Food Stamps for Not Working Enough
The "Ending the Cycle of Dependency Act of 2025" aims to, well, end dependency—by making it harder to get Medicaid and food stamps if you're not working at least 80 hours a month. This isn't some future plan; it's changing the rules now for who qualifies, and it could mean a big shift in who gets help and who doesn't.
Tightening the Screws on Aid
The core of this bill is about tying aid to work. If you're between 19 and 59, you'll need to prove you're working, volunteering, or in a work program for at least 80 hours every month. That's like holding down two part-time jobs at 20 hours a week each. If you don't hit that mark for three months in a year, you could lose your Medicaid. The bill does spell out some exceptions—like if you're caring for a kid under 6, are medically unfit to work, or are in a drug or alcohol treatment program (SEC. 3). But the main message is clear: work, or risk losing your benefits.
For food stamps, the eligibility age for those exempt from work requirements is getting bumped up to 60. Plus, they're tightening up who qualifies as a caregiver—only those with kids under 6 get a pass (SEC. 2). So, if you were relying on certain exemptions before, you might need to double-check your status.
Real-World Rollout
Imagine you're a single parent working part-time at a retail store while juggling classes at the community college. Before, you might have qualified for Medicaid based on your income level. Now, if those part-time hours don't add up to 80 a month, you're in a tough spot. You either scramble for more hours—maybe taking time away from school or family—or you risk losing your health coverage.
Or picture a construction worker who relies on seasonal jobs. If there's a slow period and they can't clock in those 80 hours, they might find themselves without Medicaid when they need it most. This could mean delaying doctor visits or skipping necessary medications, all because of a gap in work hours.
The Bigger Picture and Potential Snags
This bill is essentially linking healthcare and food assistance directly to work hours, in a way that hasn't been done this broadly before. It's a major shift from how these programs have operated, potentially impacting a lot of people who rely on this support to get by.
One immediate challenge is just the logistics of proving those 80 hours. What counts as proof? Who's checking? And what happens if there's a dispute? The bill allows states to kick people off Medicaid if the federal government stops funding due to non-compliance (SEC. 3), but it doesn't detail the process for appealing such decisions.
Long-term, this could put extra pressure on state agencies to manage these work requirements and verify compliance. It also raises questions about what happens to people who genuinely can't find 80 hours of work or training each month. Are there enough jobs or programs available to meet this new demand? The bill doesn't address these practical concerns, which could lead to significant challenges down the road.