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One of the nation’s biggest benefit programs is going to start requiring that those who can work actually do so.

The massive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), more commonly referred to by its former name of food stamps, had suspended work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents during the years of high unemployment that followed the 2008 recession. Returning to the requirements now that unemployment is down will put a three-month limit on assistance. After that time, there is a requirement to work, volunteer or be in job training for at least 20 hours a week.

Pennsylvania will be re-instituting those requirements next year, which will impact about 30,000 people statewide. The requirements will be implemented on a county-by-county basis, depending upon local unemployment levels.

“It’s not a work requirement that helps people get work. It’s just a harsh rule that states are struggling to deal with,” said Ed Bolen, author of a report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The report said 1 million people nationwide could be at risk of losing benefits next year.

In Maine, where the requirement was implemented this year, officials said the work requirement has helped the state reduce food stamp use 22 percent from 2012 to 2015.

“Doling out assistance with no focus on employment is destructive to individual productivity and detrimental to our efforts to improve Maine’s economy and future,” said Maine Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Mary Mayhew.

“People on food stamps are living in poverty, and more food stamps does not equal less poverty. This administration is focused on incentivizing employment rather than trapping people in generational poverty and welfare dependency,” she said.

Work requirements are an important part of the SNAP program, said Rachel Sheffield, a policy analyst at The Heritage Foundation.

“Work requirements serve to ensure that assistance is going to those most in need,” she said.

“Welfare is available to those who truly need it, but people are directed first towards work. Able-bodied adults should be required to work, prepare for work, or look for work in exchange for receiving assistance. Maine is a strong example of promoting work and reciprocal obligation,” she said.  no free lunch