Expanded SNAP Work Rules Take Effect — What Recipients Need to Know

After a disruptive federal government shutdown, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits have resumed for low-income households nationwide. In the months ahead, a broader group of adult recipients will face new work, volunteering or training requirements that could limit benefit access if they don’t comply.

What happened during the shutdown

When federal funding was paused in early November, some states used emergency funds or court-authorized federal dollars to reload households’ electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, while others could not. Food banks experienced increased demand, long lines and occasional shortages. After the government reopened on Nov. 12, states moved quickly to restore benefits; most recipients received their November payments shortly afterward and should receive December benefits on their usual schedule.

What the new rules require

A tax-and-spending law signed in July expanded SNAP work requirements for many adult participants. Under the changes, eligible adults must:

• Work, volunteer, or participate in job training for at least 80 hours per month; and
• Face a maximum of three months of benefits within a three-year period if they do not meet the requirements.

Previously, the work rule generally applied to able-bodied adults ages 18–54 without dependents. The new law extends the requirements to people ages 55–64 and to parents whose children are 14 or older. It also removes prior exemptions for people who are homeless, military veterans and young adults leaving foster care, and it narrows states’ ability to waive work requirements in areas with limited job opportunities.

Timing and expected impact

The administration temporarily waived the expanded requirements in November, but officials indicated the three-month limit on nonworking beneficiaries would begin in December. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the expanded rules could reduce the average monthly SNAP caseload by about 2.4 million people over the next decade.

Questions about fraud and recertification

Following the shutdown, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins raised concerns about fraud in the program, citing alleged cases such as benefits recorded for deceased individuals or duplicate payments. She suggested that everyone on SNAP should reapply, though it was not always clear whether she meant a new universal reapplication or a renewed emphasis on routine recertification.

Federal law already requires most SNAP households to report income and basic information every four to six months and to be fully recertified at least once every 12 months; households where all adults are age 60 or older or have disabilities may be recertified every 24 months. States may impose stricter verification schedules; a recent USDA report found that 27 states required some households to undergo full recertification every four to six months, depending on circumstances.

What recipients should do now

• Watch EBT account notifications and state agency guidance for exact payment timing and any new enrollment requirements.
• If you are subject to work requirements, contact your local SNAP office or workforce agency to learn about qualifying activities (work, training, or volunteer options) and exemptions.
• Keep documentation of income and household changes and respond promptly to recertification requests to avoid interruptions in benefits.

If you need help locating state-specific guidance or community resources, contact your local SNAP office or a community legal services organization that assists SNAP recipients.