Bill > HR3055

This bill, titled the Providing Relief to Individuals Desiring Employment (PRIDE) Act of 2013, allows states to voluntarily conduct pilot projects to test new ways of managing the Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps. The core idea is to give states the option to require able-bodied adults, with some exceptions, to participate in work-related activities as a condition of receiving SNAP benefits. These work activities can include various forms of employment, job training, education, or community service, all designed to improve employability and self-sufficiency. States participating in these pilot projects must have robust data collection systems to track their effectiveness and will be subject to independent evaluations to measure program savings and impact on employment and income. The bill also includes provisions for improved wage verification using the National Directory of New Hires to ensure accurate SNAP benefit calculations.