SNAP Work Requirements Take Effect: What You Need to Know

The expanded work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are now taking effect across multiple states, marking a significant shift in eligibility criteria that could impact millions of Americans who rely on food assistance.

Under the new regulations, adults between 18 and 64 without dependent children must now work, volunteer, or participate in job training for at least 80 hours monthly to maintain their benefits beyond a limited period. This represents a notable expansion of the previous rules, which generally only applied to adults up to age 54.

The change effectively extends work requirements to Americans in their late 50s and early 60s, a demographic that often faces unique barriers to employment despite not yet being eligible for retirement benefits. The Congressional Budget Office projects these provisions will reduce SNAP participation by approximately 2.4 million people per month on average over the next decade.

“The goal is to promote workforce participation,” explained a Department of Agriculture spokesperson, though the agency acknowledges implementation challenges vary widely across different regions and populations.

The stricter requirements stem from federal budget legislation passed in 2025. Supporters argue the changes encourage self-sufficiency and address labor shortages in certain sectors, while critics contend they create unnecessary hardships for vulnerable Americans already struggling with food insecurity.

“We’re particularly concerned about older adults who may face age discrimination in the job market or have health limitations that aren’t severe enough to qualify for disability exemptions,” said Maria Gonzalez, director of a Washington D.C.-based food security advocacy group. “Many will fall through the cracks despite genuinely trying to find work.”

The consequences for non-compliance remain significant. Recipients who fail to meet work requirements and don’t qualify for exemptions can only receive benefits for three months within a three-year period. While this time limit isn’t new to the SNAP program, its application to a broader population represents a substantial policy shift.

The rollout of these expanded requirements is occurring unevenly across the country. Several states have already begun enforcement, while others are phasing in the changes as temporary federal waivers expire. This patchwork implementation creates a complex landscape for both recipients and administrators.

Federal law permits states to waive work requirements in areas with particularly high unemployment, but these standards have been tightened significantly. Under the new rules, states may only issue waivers in regions where unemployment exceeds 10 percent—a substantially higher threshold than in previous years.

“This creates a situation where people facing similar economic circumstances might have drastically different access to food assistance depending solely on where they live,” noted economist Jeffrey Martin, who specializes in safety net programs at a prominent Washington think tank.

For current SNAP recipients, qualifying activities include paid employment, participation in approved job-training programs, or volunteer work, as long as these activities total at least 80 hours monthly. Exemptions remain available for individuals with certain disabilities and for caregivers of young children.

However, advocacy groups point out that documentation and verification requirements are likely to pose additional barriers as states tighten enforcement. Many eligible individuals may lose benefits simply because they struggle to navigate the increasingly complex administrative requirements.

Food banks and community organizations across the country are already preparing for increased demand as the changes take full effect. In some areas, local governments are developing supplementary programs to fill gaps for residents who lose federal assistance.

The impact of these changes comes at a time when food prices remain elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels, putting additional pressure on low-income households. According to recent data, grocery prices have risen approximately 25 percent since 2020, outpacing wage growth for many Americans in lower-income brackets.

As implementation continues throughout the year, both supporters and critics will be closely monitoring the effects on SNAP participation rates, employment figures, and measures of food insecurity across affected communities.