New SNAP Work Requirements Could Impact Millions of Americans
Starting February 1st, changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are slated to take effect, potentially leading to millions of Americans losing vital food benefits. The federal program currently serves nearly 42 million individuals, including low-income families and vulnerable households, providing essential assistance for groceries and other household necessities.
These new stipulations stem from amendments made to work requirements within a significant legislative package signed into law in July. The changes alter the time limit for certain individuals to receive benefits, restricting them to no more than three months within a three-year period unless specific work requirements are met.
Key Changes to Work Requirements
The legislation introduces several significant shifts in how work requirements are applied to SNAP recipients:
- Increased Age Limit: For able-bodied adults without dependents, the upper age limit for meeting work requirements has been raised from 54 to 64 years old. This marks the first time this age bracket has been subject to such requirements.
- Adjusted Dependent Exemptions: Exemptions for parents or other family members responsible for dependents have been revised. The age of children for whom a caregiver can claim an exemption has been lowered to those under 14 years old. Previously, this exemption applied to individuals caring for children under 18.
Critics of the new rules express grave concerns about the potential consequences. Joel Berg, CEO of the nonprofit Hunger Free America, stated that "Millions of people will unnecessarily be kicked off the rolls." He elaborated, predicting that "They will lose the food they need, and sometimes family members need. ... More Americans will go hungry. Soup kitchens and food pantries and the food banks that supply them will not have the resources to meet this need."
Projected Impact on SNAP Recipients
Estimates from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), projected for August 2025, suggest a substantial reduction in SNAP participation. Between 2025 and 2034, approximately 1.1 million people are expected to lose their SNAP benefits. This figure includes:
- An estimated 800,000 able-bodied adults, aged up to 64, who do not live with dependents.
- Around 300,000 parents or caregivers, also up to age 64, who are responsible for children aged 14 and older.
Furthermore, an additional 1 million individuals who are able-bodied adults between the ages of 18 and 54 (this age range will shift to 18 to 49 starting in 2031) could also see their benefits terminated. These individuals do not live with dependents but would have previously qualified for a waiver from work requirements.
The legislative changes also eliminate exemptions for several vulnerable populations, including homeless individuals, veterans, and young adults who aged out of foster care upon turning 18. Berg highlighted the significant challenges these groups will face, noting that "It will be extraordinarily difficult for them, and they are among the most vulnerable Americans already." He added, "Some of the most vulnerable populations -- homeless people, veterans and young people who just left foster care -- are going to lose their food, lose their groceries and there is no plan in place to fix that."
Offsetting Factors and Program Philosophy
While the CBO anticipates these reductions in SNAP participation, the impact may be partially offset by an anticipated increase in participation among American Indians, who have received specific exemptions under the new legislation.
Supporters of the enhanced work requirements argue that they are necessary measures to combat waste, fraud, and abuse within the program. SNAP benefits are administered by the Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, in a recent interview, emphasized that SNAP benefits are intended as a temporary support, not a long-term solution. "The American dream is not being on [a] food stamp program," Rollins stated. "The American dream is not being on all these programs. That should be a hand up, not a handout. ... As of yesterday, we have moved 1.75 million people off of SNAP."
A USDA spokesperson confirmed that state agencies are required to prepare for the enforcement of the time limit in areas without existing waivers. The Department is committed to providing technical assistance to state agencies to ensure a smooth implementation, focusing on guiding eligible recipients toward work, education, or training opportunities.
Examining Recipient Work Status
Data from the 2023 American Community Survey indicates that the majority of American families receiving SNAP benefits had at least one family member engaged in work within the preceding 12 months. This finding challenges the notion that a significant portion of recipients are not actively seeking or maintaining employment.
Research has also highlighted the potential for work requirements to significantly reduce program participation. A 2021 report from the National Bureau of Economic Research suggested that SNAP work requirements could lead to as many as 53% of eligible adults exiting the program within an 18-month timeframe.
Berg voiced strong opposition to the underlying philosophy of the new requirements, asserting, "These work requirements aren't really about promoting work. They're about dehumanizing people and attacking the 'other.'" He further argued, "Most SNAP recipients are pro-work, and most SNAP recipients are already working, or children or people with disability or older Americans. So all this is sort of a diversionary debate."
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