2.4 million could lose food stamps under strict new work rules
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a cornerstone of support for millions of American households, is undergoing one of its most significant transformations in decades. A federally approved reform is now expanding strict work requirements to a much broader group of recipients, a change that experts warn could push millions into food insecurity. As states begin implementing these new rules, many families are scrambling to understand if they will lose their vital food benefits.
The reform, championed by Republican lawmakers as part of a federal spending plan, aims to tie food assistance more closely to employment. The central change is a major expansion of the group of people who must prove they are working, training, or volunteering to keep their benefits.
Who Is Now Required to Work?
The new rules cast a much wider net. Previously, work requirements primarily targeted a smaller group of childless adults. Now, the mandate is expanding. According to policy analysis, individuals up to 64 years old, some parents of teenagers, veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and former foster youth must demonstrate that they are engaged in approved activities for at least 80 hours per month.
Those who fail to meet this threshold will see their SNAP benefits cut off after just three months within a three-year period. This significant change is expected to have a massive impact. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that these expanded requirements could reduce the number of people receiving food stamps by 2.4 million each month over the next decade, affecting approximately 300,000 families with children.
A Complex and Potentially Chaotic Rollout
As states begin to enforce these rules, a second challenge is emerging: implementation. Community organizations and local officials are warning of a confusing and inconsistent rollout. A lack of clear notifications, errors in state-based computer systems, and widespread confusion about who qualifies for an exemption (due to disability, age, or other factors) could lead to thousands losing their benefits due to administrative errors alone.
| Affected Group | New Requirement | Potential Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Adults up to age 64 | Must work/train 80 hours/month | Loss of benefits after 3 months if non-compliant |
| Homeless Individuals & Veterans | Included in the work mandate | Increased risk of food insecurity |
| Certain Immigrant Groups | New eligibility restrictions | An estimated 90,000 could lose benefits monthly |
The Urban Institute projects that in a typical month, 5.4 million people could be affected by the expanded work requirements, with 1.8 million potentially losing their benefits entirely. The reform also introduces new restrictions for certain immigrants, including refugees and asylees, potentially cutting off another 90,000 people from SNAP each month.
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