Vote No on HB 318 – Maintain North Carolina’s Ability to Ensure Access to Food in Areas of High Unemployment, Times of Economic Downturns

House Bill 318, Protect North Carolina Workers Act, would permanently bar North Carolina’s ability to suspend SNAP’s three month time limit for childless adults who are working fewer than 20 hours per week.

SNAP benefits are limited to three months out of every three years for childless, nondisabled adults unless they are working at least half time, participating in a qualified job training program or certified volunteer placement for 20 hours a week, or in workfare. This time limit applies regardless of whether these individuals are actually able to find employment or training opportunities.

• In North Carolina, 83 counties have more jobless workers than job openings.
• One out of three unemployed workers has been out of work for 26 weeks or more, a figure that is statistically unchanged since the recovery.
• NC DHHS has already applied for a waiver for 77 of the state’s 100 counties.