(NEXSTAR) – States are warning SNAP recipients that their eligibility for food assistance could change by the November deadline to comply with SNAP. One big, beautiful bill approach.
The massive bill, passed into law over the summer, overhauls the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as the Food Stamp Program), which provides food assistance to more than 42 million people. The changes are expected to take some people off the program as federal spending on the program is cut by an estimated $186 billion over the next decade.
Several different provisions of the bill It is scheduled to be implemented starting in November. Here’s what to know about the changes.
New work requirements and fewer exceptions
A big change in the program concerns ABAWDs — or able-bodied adults without dependents. Simply put, able-bodied adults need to prove they are working at least 80 hours a month, pursuing education, or in a training program to continue to qualify for SNAP. Without proof, they can only receive benefits for a maximum of three months.
Before the Big Beautiful Bill changed, there were several major exceptions to these work requirements. Previously, it only applied to adults between the ages of 18 and 54. Now, any able adult under age 65 must prove they are working to continue receiving benefits.
Parents who were responsible for a dependent under the age of 18 were also exempt from the work requirement, but now the exemption only applies to adults who are responsible for a dependent under the age of 14.
Veterans, the homeless, and youth transitioning from foster care were also exempt. Now, all of these categories need to meet work requirements to be able to receive assistance beyond three months.
On the other hand, there is a new exception to the work requirements created for “Indians, also referred to as Native Americans, Alaska Natives, indigenous peoples, and tribal members.” specified by law.
While all of these changes became effective immediately after the law passed on July 4, the Food and Nutrition Service gave states 120 days to implement the changes. The deadline for full implementation ends on November 1, 2025.
What if there are not enough jobs?
In areas where finding a job is particularly difficult, ABAWD work requirements may be waived. The One Big Beautiful bill would require an area’s unemployment rate to be more than 10% in order to qualify for an exemption. There is a little Different rules for Alaska and Hawaii.
SNAP eligibility for immigrants
The One Big Beautiful bill changes “noncitizen eligibility for SNAP,” including some groups of people who are in the country legally.
Refugees, those granted asylum and survivors of human trafficking will all be affected and lose benefits, the Oregon Department of Human Services says in a report. Memorandum announcing changes.
The Food and Nutrition Service has not released many details about how this ruling will be implemented, however He says “More guidance is coming.”
More changes to come
Other provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill would also lead to reductions in who can get food assistance and how much families are eligible for it, Critics say. The law specifies how annual cost of living adjustments are calculated. Changes how utilities are calculated To meet the needs of families, eliminates funding for SNAP Nutrition education and obesity prevention Grant program, which helped expand access to healthy food.
Another big part of the bill forces states to shoulder more of the cost of administering SNAP. The cost used to be shared 50-50, but it has now shifted to 75% responsibility of the states starting in fiscal year 2027.
Some states, for the first time, will also have to pay a portion of food benefits starting in fiscal year 2028.
Under this legislation, the federal government would fully fund SNAP benefits only to states that make errors in less than 6% of their payments to people. Only seven states — Idaho, Nebraska, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Wisconsin and Wyoming — reached that threshold last year, according toFederal data.
Nationally, nearly 11% of SNAP payments had errors last year.
Starting in 2028, states with error rates greater than 6% will have to cover between 5% and 15% of the cost of SNAP benefits. Those with higher error rates generally must pay more, but the Senate amendment delays cost-sharing implementation until late 2030 for states with the highest error rates.
As a result of the cost change, the Congressional Budget Office assumes that some states will reduce or eliminate people’s SNAP benefits.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.