DHS outlines new SNAP work rules, provider network and verification plan as federal law makes participation mandatory

Mary Franklin, director of the Division of County Operations at the Arkansas Department of Human Services, told a legislative subcommittee that federal changes under the law the department repeatedly called the "1 Big Beautiful Act" will require many SNAP recipients aged 18–64 with no child under 14 in the home to meet time-limit and work rules to keep benefits. Franklin said eligible activities include paid work, volunteering, participation in SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) programs, or other education and training programs and that the time-limit provision permits only three months of SNAP in a 36-month period for noncompliant individuals.

Franklin gave a high-level inventory of SNAP E&T components and providers the state will rely on, including vocational training offered by the Arkansas Employment Career Center (projected FY26 budget about $1,500,000, projected to serve roughly 520 individuals), statewide adult education (projected budget roughly $2,700,000, projected to serve about 1,000 recipients), Shorter College (about $97,000; ~52 clients) and Arkansas Northeastern College (a little over $470,000; ~100 clients). She said providers offer job retention, supervised job search, basic skills instruction, career and technical education (CNA, pharmacy tech, medical aide, heavy equipment), English instruction and work readiness training.

Under the new federal rule, Franklin said DHS will move SNAP E&T from a largely voluntary model toward mandatory participation for those identified as subject to the work rules. She said eligibility interviews already include verbal and written notices about work requirements and that, as the shift occurs, DHS staff will determine exemptions, identify mandatory participants and make direct referrals to providers "on their behalf for the provider to pick up and take the next steps with them." Franklin said this referral process replaces a prior practice of only handing applicants a form or referral location.

Committee members pressed for more granular tracking and vendor-level outcomes. Franklin said DHS can identify which recipients use which providers and can provide vendor-level completion and cost-per-participant data if the committee requests it. She also said DHS will monitor participation and make budget adjustments after the program begins mandatory referrals.

A recurring concern from legislators was verification and recertification of hours and activities. Franklin said DHS verifies income and disability using data sources (including Social Security records where applicable), accepts documentation from medical providers for disability, and requires documentation from volunteer hosts that supervisors sign. Most recipients recertify every six months; interviews can be conducted by phone to avoid job disruption. Franklin said the department will prioritize ex parte verifications where possible to limit client burden.

On data accuracy and error rates, legislators asked for a deeper review. Secretary Janet Mann and DHS staff said county office procedures are under review, daily quality checks are being implemented, and DHS will return with plans identifying county offices with higher error rates so staff can adopt best practices. Franklin said some changes will rely on providers' ability to match funds and that DHS will request federal funds available through provider matches.

The subcommittee asked DHS to provide additional provider-level outcomes, an age breakdown for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABOD), and further detail on the department's plan to prevent administrative errors that could trigger federal penalties. Members signaled they expect follow-up reporting at the committee's next meeting.