Food Secure Strikers Act Aims to Remove SNAP Eligibility Barrier for Workers on Strike

This bill, the "Food Secure Strikers Act of 2025," makes a targeted change to the rules for getting food assistance. Specifically, it amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to eliminate the existing restriction that generally prevents workers on strike from qualifying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), often known as food stamps.

Putting Food on the Table During a Strike

Currently, being on strike usually makes a worker ineligible for SNAP benefits. This legislation directly removes that barrier. Section 2 of the bill strikes the specific clause (Section 6(d)(1)(D)(A)(iv) of the Food and Nutrition Act) that disqualifies strikers and revises related language to simply state that individuals are not ineligible solely because they are on strike.

What does this mean in practical terms? If this bill becomes law, a worker participating in a legal strike who meets the other standard income and asset requirements for SNAP could apply for and receive food assistance for their household. Imagine a mechanic, teacher, or warehouse employee walking the picket line – under this change, their participation in the strike wouldn't automatically block their family from accessing SNAP benefits, potentially easing the financial pressure of lost wages during a labor dispute.

The Eligibility Shift Explained

The core function here is straightforward: it decouples SNAP eligibility from participation in a strike. While proponents might see this as providing a crucial safety net for families facing hardship during labor actions, it's also worth noting the potential ripple effects. Having access to food assistance could strengthen workers' ability to sustain longer strikes. The bill itself doesn't add new conditions or requirements; it simply removes an existing disqualification based on strike status, aligning eligibility for strikers with that of other low-income individuals.