H.R. 1452 — Ending the Cycle of Dependency Act of 2025

This section establishes the short title as the “Ending the Cycle of Dependency Act of 2025.”

This section revises the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) work requirement exemptions under section 6(o) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 by (1) changing the age-based exemption from over 50 years of age to over 60 years of age, (2) adding an exemption for a child under 6 years of age, (3) striking two existing exemption subparagraphs, and (4) striking the separate paragraph that imposed additional work-related requirements. It also makes a conforming amendment to section 311 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 by striking subsection (b). (Thus, fewer SNAP participants would be subject to work requirements, and the age threshold for exemption would increase by 10 years.)

This section establishes Medicaid work requirements for certain adults and limits federal Medicaid matching funds for individuals who do not satisfy those requirements for 3 or more preceding months in a calendar year. It amends section 1903(i) of the Social Security Act to bar federal financial participation for medical assistance furnished to an applicable individual for a month if the individual failed to meet the new work requirement under section 1905(kk) for 3 or more prior months during that calendar year while enrolled in Medicaid under a State plan or waiver. This section adds a new Medicaid work requirement under section 1905(kk) that requires an applicable individual to do at least one of the following for 80 hours per month: (1) work, or earn monthly income equal to the Federal minimum wage multiplied by 80 hours; (2) perform 80 hours of community service; (3) participate in a work program for 80 hours; or (4) combine work, community service, and work program participation for a total of 80 hours. As background, Medicaid is a joint federal-state health coverage program for low-income individuals and families. This section defines an “applicable individual” as a person who is not: under 19 years old or 60 years old or older; physically or mentally unfit for employment as determined and verified by a physician or other medical professional; pregnant; the parent or caretaker of a dependent child under age 6; the parent or caretaker of an incapacitated person; complying with work requirements under another federal program; participating in a drug or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation program; or enrolled at least half time in an educational program. It defines “educational program” to include an institution of higher education, a career and technical education program, or another program approved by the Secretary, and defines “work program” by reference to section 6(o)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. This section also gives States the option to disenroll an applicable individual for a month if no federal financial participation would be available for medical assistance furnished to that individual for that month under section 1903(i)(28).