SNAP changes force millions to reapply

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is undergoing sweeping changes this week that will force millions of Americans to reapply for benefits. Federal officials have expanded work requirements and narrowed exemptions, reshaping how households qualify for food aid.

Under the new rules, able-bodied adults between the ages of 18 and 64 who do not live with a child under 14 must prove they are working, training, or volunteering at least 80 hours per month. Previously, the cutoff age was 54, meaning older adults are now subject to the same requirements. Exemptions for caregivers, people with health conditions, and hardship cases have been reduced, pulling more recipients into the work mandate. However, Native Americans and Alaska Natives remain exempt under a provision passed in July that recognizes tribal sovereignty and federal trust obligations. Disabled individuals also retain their exemption, provided they meet state definitions of disability, such as receiving SSI or SSDI. These protections stand in contrast to the removal of exemptions for other vulnerable groups, including veterans, foster youth, and homeless individuals.

The government is requiring widespread recertification, meaning households must go through a full eligibility check rather than a routine update. Analysts warn that millions could lose benefits if they fail to meet the new standards. SNAP currently serves about 42 million people nationwide, and the changes are expected to have a significant impact over the next decade.

State agencies are bracing for a surge of reapplications while also facing pressure from federal officials to share detailed recipient data. The administration has threatened to withhold funds from states that resist, escalating tensions over how the program is managed.

For families, the timing of the changes adds stress during the holiday season, when food insecurity is already heightened. Advocates argue that the new rules undermine SNAP’s role as a safety net, shifting it toward a compliance based program tied to workforce participation.

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