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H.R. 5843House115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

The Benefits to Employment Act

Sponsored by Jason SmithRep. Jason Smith (R-MO)
Introduced May 16, 2018

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 9:50 PM UTC

The Benefits to Employment Act would change the Social Security Act so that states must create detailed Individual Opportunity Plans for people receiving public assistance who are required to work. The plans would set out each person’s education, skills, work barriers, child‑care needs, and a clear employment goal with steps to reach it. States could cut benefits if a person does not follow the signed plan, and they must review the plan at least every 90 days. The rule would apply to welfare recipients and the state agencies that run the programs.

Key Provisions

  • State agencies must assess each work‑eligible recipient’s education, skills, work experience, readiness, barriers, and child‑well‑being.
  • Based on the assessment, agencies must develop an Individual Opportunity Plan that includes a personal responsibility agreement, required work hours, an employment goal with short‑, intermediate‑, and long‑term actions, counseling services, and possible referrals to substance‑abuse or mental‑health treatment; the plan must be signed by the individual.
  • Plans must be created within 180 days for existing recipients or within 60 days for new eligible individuals.
  • If a recipient fails to follow the signed plan without good cause, the state may reduce that family’s assistance payments.
  • States must meet with each work‑eligible individual at least every 90 days to review progress, discuss the plan, and update it as needed.
  • States retain discretion to define activities, monitoring methods, and modifications to help families become more self‑sufficient.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Human Resources.

Work and Welfare Subcommittee

June 4, 2018

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 16, 2018

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Ways and Means Committee

May 16, 2018

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Human Resources.

Work and Welfare Subcommittee

June 4, 2018

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued May 16, 2018

I

115th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 5843

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 16, 2018

Mr. Smith of Missouri (for himself and Mr. Smith of Nebraska) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

A BILL

To amend title IV–A of the Social Security Act, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as The Benefits to Employment Act.

2.

Expecting universal engagement and case management

Section 408(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 608(b)) is amended to read as follows:

(b)

Individual opportunity plans

(1)

Assessment

The State agency responsible for administering the State program funded under this part shall make an initial assessment of the following for each recipient of assistance who is required to be engaged in work pursuant to section 407(c):

(A)

The education obtained, skills, prior work experience, work readiness, and barriers to work of the individual.

(B)

The well-being of the children in the family of the individual and, where appropriate, activities or services (such as services offered by a program funded under section 511) to improve the well-being of the children.

(2)

Contents of plans

On the basis of the assessment required by paragraph (1) of this subsection, the State agency, in consultation with the individual, shall develop an individual opportunity plan that—

(A)

includes a personal responsibility agreement in which the individual acknowledges receipt of publicly-funded benefits and responsibility to comply with program requirements in order to receive the benefits;

(B)

sets forth the obligations of the individual to participate in work activities, and the number of hours per month for which the individual will so participate pursuant to section 407(c);

(C)

sets forth an employment goal and planned short-, intermediate-, and long-term actions to achieve the goal, and, in the case of an individual who has not attained 24 years of age and is in secondary school or the equivalent, the intermediate action may be completion of secondary school or the equivalent;

(D)

describes the job counseling and other services the State will provide to the individual to enable the individual to obtain and keep employment in the private sector;

(E)

may include referral to appropriate substance abuse or mental health treatment; and

(F)

is signed by the individual.

(3)

Timing

The State agency shall comply with paragraph (1) and (2) with respect to a work-eligible individual—

(A)

within 180 days after the effective date of this subsection, in the case of an individual who, as of such effective date, is a recipient of assistance under the State program funded under this part (as in effect immediately before such effective date); or

(B)

within 60 days after the individual is determined to be eligible for the assistance, in the case of any other individual.

(4)

Penalty for noncompliance by individual

In addition to any other penalties required under the State program funded under this part, the State may reduce, by such amount as the State considers appropriate, the amount of assistance otherwise payable under the State program to a family that includes an individual who fails without good cause to comply with an individual opportunity plan developed pursuant to this subsection, that is signed by the individual.

(5)

Periodic review

The State shall meet with each work-eligible individual assessed by the State under paragraph (1), not less frequently than every 90 days, to—

(A)

review the individual opportunity plan developed for the individual;

(B)

discuss with the individual the progress made by the individual in achieving the goals specified in the plan; and

(C)

update the plan, as necessary, to reflect any changes in the circumstances of the individual since the plan was last reviewed.

(6)

State discretion

A State shall have sole discretion, consistent with section 407, to define and design activities for families for purposes of this subsection, to develop methods for monitoring and reviewing progress pursuant to this subsection, and to make modifications to the plans developed pursuant to this subsection as the State deems appropriate to assist families in increasing their degree of self-sufficiency.

.

3.

Effective date

The amendment made by this Act shall take effect on October 1, 2018.