A bill to provide that each state must establish a workfare program, and require participation therein by all residents of the State who are receiving benefits or assistance under the aid to families…
Show full title
Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.
Requires that each State establish and maintain an approved workfare program as a condition of its eligibility for Federal payments or other assistance under the: (1) program of aid to families with dependent children under the Social Security Act; (2) food stamp program under the Food Stamp Act of 1977; and (3) public housing and assisted housing programs under the United States Housing Act of 1937.
Requires that such State workfare program shall require every State resident applying for or receiving aid under such Federal public assistance program to perform work in return for, and as a condition for, such aid.
Directs the appropriate Federal agencies to promulgate guidelines for approval, supervision, and oversight of such State workfare programs.
Exempts from required participation in such programs those who are: (1) under age 18 or over age 65; (2) disabled; (3) regularly employed for at least 40 hours a week; or (4) primarily responsible for the care of a child less than three years old (or for the care of a child more than two but less than six years old if suitable child care is not available at reasonable cost).
Requires that each State workfare program must provide that if any individual who is required to participate in such program refuses to accept a bona fide offer of qualified employment or to perform qualified employment, in any month, neither such individual nor any other person in the family or household of which such individual is a member shall be eligible to receive any aid under such Federal public assistance programs for that month.
Requires that State workfare programs include provision for job counseling, assistance in obtaining employment outside the program, and job search activities.
Provides for: (1) Federal matching funds to cover administrative costs of such State programs; (2) Federal cut-offs of funds to State agencies for failure to comply with this Act; and (3) Federal agency reports to Congress on such State programs.
Authorizes appropriations.
See H.R.3982.
Cite this page
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 269: A bill to provide that each state must establish a workfare program, and require participation therein by all residents of the State who are receiving benefits or assistance under the aid to families with dependent children, food stamp, and public housing programs, as a condition of the State's eligibility for Federal assistance in connection with those programs.. 97th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/97-HR-269/
"H.R. 269: A bill to provide that each state must establish a workfare program, and require participation therein by all residents of the State who are receiving benefits or assistance under the aid to families with dependent children, food stamp, and public housing programs, as a condition of the State's eligibility for Federal assistance in connection with those programs.." 97th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/97-HR-269/.
H.R. 269, 97th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/97-HR-269/.
[H.R. 269: A bill to provide that each state must establish a workfare program, and require participation therein by all residents of the State who are receiving benefits or assistance under the aid to families with dependent children, food stamp, and public housing programs, as a condition of the State's eligibility for Federal assistance in connection with those programs.](https://openamerica.io/bill/97-HR-269/)