States are warning SNAP recipients that they may lose their food aid eligibility as a November 1 deadline to adapt to the One Big Beautiful Bill approaches. The sweeping bill, passed in the summer, reshapes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly called the Food Stamp Program), which helps over 42 million Americans. There are claims that the law may lower participation, as federal expenditures on SNAP are expected to decrease by $186 billion in the next ten years.
New work requirements for able-bodied adults
One of the biggest changes includes ABAWDs—able-bodied adults without dependents. With the new policy, these adults will need to work at least 80 hours a month, go to school, or participate in a training program to continue receiving SNAP benefits. Without proof of documentation, they can only receive aid for three months.
Before this law, the work requirement applied only to adults aged between 18 and 54 years, but now all able-bodied adults under 65 years come under it. Parents with a dependent child under the age of 18 years were exempted, but according to the new law, only adults with children under the age of 14 are exempted.
Other groups that lose the exemptions are veterans, the homeless, and youth ageing out of foster care. On a positive note, the bill includes an additional exception for Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Tribal Members, who will not have to meet the work requirement.
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States must implement the changes within 120 days, with full enforcement on November 1, 2025.
What if jobs are hard to find?
Some high-unemployment regions are eligible for a waiver. The region must have greater than 10% unemployment, with a somewhat different standard for Alaska and Hawaii. This would permit in regions with few employment opportunities for able-bodied adults to receive SNAP without meeting the 80-hour work requirement.
Changes for immigrant SNAP recipients
The bill also impacts the eligibility of non-citizens for SNAP. Some lawful residents, including refugees, asylees, and human trafficking survivors, stand to lose benefit access, said the Oregon Department of Human Services. The Food and Nutrition Service has not yet released full information about how this will be rolled out, but further guidance is expected soon.
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Other cuts and adjustments
Critics warn that the One Big Beautiful Bill establishes several other changes that could reduce food assistance:
- Annual cost-of-living adjustments
- Changes in how utilities are computed as a component of household need
- Phases out grants for the SNAP Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program, which helped provide access to healthier foods
The law also moves more administrative expense to the states. Previously, the states funded 50% of SNAP administration, but beginning in fiscal year 2027, they will fund 75%, and by 2028, some states might have to fund part of the actual benefit, depending on payment error rates.
States could cut benefits
Under the new plan, the federal government will completely pay for SNAP benefits only for states with less than a 6% error rate. Only seven states—Idaho, Nebraska, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Wyoming—managed to meet that benchmark last year. Across the country, nearly 11% of SNAP payments contained errors.
Starting in 2028, states with more errors will be obligated to pay 5% to 15% of SNAP costs, and the worst offenders could be delayed until 2030. Some states will reduce or eliminate SNAP benefits as a result, cutting assistance to needy families.
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What recipients should do
SNAP recipients must monitor their eligibility and remain in touch with their local SNAP office. Ensure any schooling, work, or training time is recorded, and keep watch for updates on changes to immigrants and ABAWDs. Under these changes, it is more critical than ever to remain aware in order not to lose valuable food aid.
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