Work requirements are federal or state policies that mandate individuals to work or participate in job-related activities in order to receive benefits such as Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and housing assistance. While framed as promoting independence, too often these policies fail to account for the challenges faced by people with disabilities.
The Problem
Many disabled individuals who rely on benefits already have jobs. Those who are not employed often face systemic barriers that make employment difficult or impossible. Work requirements risk cutting people off from essential services—not because they do not want to work, but because the system fails to accommodate them.
Why Work Requirements Sometimes Don’t Work
- Health Limitations—Many disabilities make consistent work challenging, even for those who don’t qualify for Social Security Disability benefits.
- Discrimination and Lack of Accommodations – Employers often fail to hire or accommodate disabled workers, despite legal obligations to do so.
- Transportation Barriers – Reliable, accessible, and affordable transportation options are often nonexistent.
- Complicated Exemption Rules – While exemptions exist, the difficulty of navigating bureaucratic red tape leaves many who should qualify without benefits.
The Consequences
Work requirements don’t increase employment rates. Instead, they often force individuals into deeper crises. For example, when Arkansas implemented Medicaid work requirements, more than 18,000 people lost coverage in the first seven months, mainly due to confusing reporting systems, with no change in employment rates.
Additionally, research shows that people with disabilities are disproportionately sanctioned (cut-off) under TANF, losing benefits because they can’t meet rigid criteria.
Despite evidence showing that work requirements do not enhance employment and can lead to the loss of essential benefits, the idea of increasing such requirements for public assistance programs remains a topic of active discussion and proposal in the current Congress.
Why This Matters to the Disability Community
- Employment Barriers – Many disabled individuals must declare themselves “unable to work” to maintain benefits, limiting their future job opportunities.
- Conflicting Income and Asset Limits – Working may push individuals over Medicaid’s income threshold while still earning too little to afford healthcare.
- Loss of Vital Services – Losing Medicaid can mean losing essential supports, such as personal care assistants, mobility devices, and life-sustaining treatments.
A Smarter Way Forward
Rather than punitive work requirements, policymakers should focus on:
- Expanding Disability-Friendly Job Training – Invest in vocational programs accessible to disabled workers.
- Enforcing Workplace Accessibility – Ensure employers provide legally required accommodations through robust enforcement mechanisms.
- Improving Public Transportation – Expand accessible and affordable transit options.
- Ensure Stable Healthcare – Recognize that people cannot work effectively without access to medical care and support.
What Disability Belongs™ is Doing
Disability Belongs™ actively opposes harmful work requirements and advocates for policies that promote true economic inclusion.
- Employment Equity – We support competitive, integrated employment and oppose policies that make it harder for disabled people to work.
- Medicaid Buy-In Programs – No one should have to choose between a paycheck and health care. We’re pushing for expanded Medicaid buy-in options.
- Equitable Participation – Work requirements disproportionately affect marginalized disabled communities. We are committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all.
How We’re Taking Action
- Formal Advocacy – Submitting policy briefs, testimony, and public comments opposing work requirements.
- Coalition Engagement – Partnering with disability rights organizations, policymakers, and advocacy groups.
- Public Awareness – Educating legislators, stakeholders, and the public on the harm these policies cause.
How You Can Help
- Contact Your Legislators – Urge them to oppose work requirements and support the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act.
- Share Your Experience – If work requirements have affected you, speaking out can drive policy change.
- Spread Awareness – Share Disability Belongs™’ advocacy materials across social media and within your community.
Work requirements create barriers, not opportunities. Instead of promoting employment, they deepen poverty and exclusion for disabled individuals. Together, we can challenge these policies and push for meaningful change.
