New SNAP Work Requirements: What You Need to Know

The federal government has expanded work requirements for people who receive SNAP benefits (formerly called food stamps).

Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which took effect in November, "able-bodied adults" without dependents must work, volunteer, or participate in job training for at least 80 hours per month.

If they don't meet this requirement, they can only receive SNAP benefits for three months every three years.

Key changes include:
 

• The age limit increased from 54 to 64 years old
• Parents of children 14 or older are now included
• Exemptions were removed for veterans, homeless individuals, and young adults who aged out of foster care

 

Do Work Requirements Actually Work?

Supporters of these rules argue that they encourage people to find jobs and reduce reliance on government assistance.

However, research suggests otherwise. A 2018 federal study that examined SNAP data from nine states found that work requirements "have no impact on labor force participation and the number of hours worked."

Researchers at the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy also found that requiring recipients to work does not lower unemployment rates.

In fact, after work requirements were reinstated in fall 2023 (following a suspension during the COVID pandemic), the average monthly employment in one West Virginia county actually decreased.
 

Barriers to Employment

Researchers identified several obstacles that make it difficult for people to find and keep jobs:
 

• Physical and mental health issues that go unreported
• Housing instability
• Lack of high school diplomas
• Missing identification documents
• Limited job availability in rural areas
• Transportation challenges
• About 1 in 4 residents lack reliable internet access, making it hard to file required paperwork

 

Additional Changes Coming

More changes to SNAP are on the way:
 

• October 2025: States will be required to pay 75% of administrative costs (currently split 50/50 with the federal government)
• October 2027: States will pay additional costs based on their error rates

 

Potential Impact

The Kentucky Center for Economic Policy estimates that up to 114,000 Kentucky residents could lose SNAP benefits due to the expanded work requirements.

Health researchers warn that losing SNAP benefits could negatively affect people's health, including blood pressure, obesity rates, and ability to take medications as prescribed.

Some experts worry that the increased financial burden on states may lead them to change program rules to reduce participation or, in extreme cases, stop operating SNAP altogether.

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