Councilmember Frumin Introduces “Green Workforce Pilot Amendment Act of 2026” to Protect the Social Safety Net and Support Conservation Workforce

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kevin Caudill, Communications Director – kcaudill@dccouncil.gov; (202) 741-2134

Councilmember Frumin Introduces “Green Workforce Pilot Amendment Act of 2026” to Protect the Social Safety Net and Support Conservation Workforce 

WASHINGTON, DC (September 24, 2026) — On September 21, 2026, Ward 3 Councilmember Matthew Frumin, chair of the Committee on Human Services, along with Councilmembers Charles Allen, Anita Bonds, Janeese Lewis George, and Elissa Silverman, introduced the “Green Workforce Pilot Amendment Act of 2026.” This legislation aims to protect District residents from losing their public benefits due to new federal mandates by connecting them with meaningful, paid work in environmental and conservation roles.

Recent changes to federal law have expanded work requirements for public benefit programs, severely threatening the District residents who rely on those programs. The federal government recently imposed new Medicaid community engagement requirements and eliminated DC’s long-standing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) work requirement waiver for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs). According to estimates from the Department of Human Services and the Department of Health Care Finance, between 8,500 and 12,900 residents will lose access to SNAP, and more than 50,000 Medicaid participants are at risk of losing their health insurance.

The Green Workforce Pilot Amendment Act establishes a pilot program within the Department of Human Services that empowers public benefit recipients to meet new federal work requirements while gaining valuable experience and individualized job coaching. Participants will earn at least minimum wage for 32 to 48 hours per month.

“The District is facing a critical moment in which thousands of our most vulnerable residents are at risk of losing food and health care assistance due to federal changes,” said Councilmember Frumin. “This pilot would preserve their access to life-saving benefits by employing them in roles that actively improve our physical infrastructure and conserve our environment. They not only receive targeted support but also work experience to build lasting financial independence.”

Key Features of the Green Workforce Pilot Program:

• Tax Credit Eligibility: Working allows participants to access both the federal and District Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC), providing greater stability for families.
• Avoiding the Benefits Cliff: Participants will be paid no less than the District minimum wage for 32 to 48 hours per month to comply with SNAP and Medicaid work requirements and will retain eligibility for other assistance programs. Income earned through the pilot is exempted from being counted as income or assets when calculating eligibility for local benefit programs, including housing vouchers, the DC HealthCare Alliance, and educational scholarships.
• Targeted Employment: The program would employ up to 250 individuals in conservation roles. Participants will maintain stormwater infrastructure, combat invasive plant species, and improve the District’s sustainable energy infrastructure.
• Partnership with Proven Programs: The pilot will leverage existing, effective initiatives, such as the Department of Small and Local Business Development’s (DSLBD) Clean Teams, the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU) Workforce Development program, and Green Pathways. It also allows for partnerships with private-sector employers.
• Comprehensive Support: Each participant will receive individualized job coaching to assist in transitioning to full-time, long-term employment.
• Data-Driven Evaluation: DHS will track and publish annually key metrics, including transition rates to full-time employment and median income six months post-program, to evaluate the pilot’s success.

Participants in the Green Workforce Pilot Program will begin work no later than April 1, 2028. The legislation represents a targeted, equitable solution to support residents in a time of limited District resources, acting as a vital bridge to stability.

To read the full text of the Green Workforce Pilot Amendment Act of 2026, please visit the bill page on the DC Legislative Information Management System (LIMS).

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