The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, is the nation’s largest federal program aimed at helping low-income families avoid hunger and malnutrition. Currently, over 41.2 million people across 21.6 million households receive SNAP benefits, but proposed changes threaten to cut benefits for 3.2 million Americans.
What Are the New SNAP Work Requirements?
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that 3.2 million recipients would lose access to SNAP under changes included in the recently approved House bill, the “Big Beautiful Act.” The bill aims to save $92 billion over ten years by tightening work requirements and eligibility rules.
Key changes include:
- Raising the age range for mandatory work from 18-54 to 18-64 years old for adults without dependent children
- Lowering the exemption age for dependent children from 18 to 7 years old
These new rules would place more adults, especially those aged 55 to 64 without disabilities, at risk of losing benefits. The CBO estimates:
- Over 1 million adults 55-64 without disabilities could lose benefits
- Around 800,000 caregivers of children age 7 or older would be affected
- 1.4 million adults currently exempt due to legal reasons may lose eligibility
Many of those impacted may face barriers that prevent them from meeting the work requirements.
Current Exemptions and Work Rules
Certain groups are exempt from work requirements, including:
- Individuals with physical or mental disabilities
- Pregnant women
- Veterans
- Homeless people
- Those under 24 in foster care
Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) currently must work or participate in training for 80 hours monthly or risk losing benefits after three months of noncompliance.
Controversy and Concerns
The reform has sparked heated debate in the Senate. Democrats and hunger advocacy organizations like Feeding America warn that increased work requirements could worsen food insecurity, especially among older adults and families with school-age children.
Supporters argue the changes promote self-reliance and reduce federal spending on public assistance.
Impact on Immigrants
The bill would also eliminate SNAP eligibility for non-citizens without permanent residency, affecting an estimated 120,000 to 250,000 people with temporary immigration statuses, including those with Temporary Protected Status or pending asylum cases.
SNAP Benefits Overview
In 2023, SNAP served 42.1 million people, about 12.6% of the population. Benefit amounts vary by household size, with 2025 maximum monthly benefits as follows:
- 1-person household: $292
- 2-person household: $536
- 3-person household: $768
- 4-person household: $975
- 5-person household: $1,158
- 6-person household: $1,390
- 7-person household: $1,536
- 8-person household: $1,756
- Each additional person: +$220
These amounts increased during fiscal year 2025, ending September 30. New rates will be announced for the period starting October 1, 2025.
Information sourced from:
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
- Feeding America
- Official legislative documents on the Big Beautiful Act