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New Report Highlights Arkansas’ Successful Work Requirement

Naples, FL – A new report from the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) highlights how work requirements have helped thousands of able-bodied adults move from from welfare to work in Arkansas, leading to increased incomes.

After Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson implemented work requirements for able-bodied adults on food stamps in 2016, enrollment of able-bodied, childless adults dropped by 70 percent. After two years, able-bodied Arkansans leaving food stamps saw their incomes more than triple, on average. Taxpayers are also saving more than $28 million a year and state tax revenues have increased by more than $2.3 million.

States like Maine and Kansas have seen similar success after instating commonsense work requirements for able-bodied adults.

“The results in Arkansas are remarkable, but not surprising: work requirements work. Thousands of able-bodied Arkansans are now better off than they were before, earning more and more than offsetting their lost welfare benefits,” said Nic Horton, research director at FGA and co-author of the report. “Now, thanks to Governor Hutchinson’s leadership, Arkansas is building on its success with its Medicaid work requirement, establishing itself as a true leader in welfare reform. Other states around the country should take note and get to work reducing dependency.”

The full report can be read here.

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The Foundation for Government Accountability is a non–profit, multi–state think tank that specializes in health care, welfare, and work reform. To learn more, visit TheFGA.org.

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