After a disruptive U.S. government shutdown, federal SNAP food assistance is again flowing to low-income households. But in the months ahead, many participants will have to abide by new work requirements.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides monthly benefits — averaging around $190 per person — to about 42 million people nationwide. During the first couple weeks of November, many of those recipients missed their regular allotments as the government dealt with a shutdown in court.
As soon as the government reopened on November 12, many states rushed to get out benefits, and by the following Tuesday, all states had either loaded or were in the process of loading full November benefits onto people’s electronic cards.
The benefits are available across the country after lapses
The situation was chaotic initially after the federal government announced SNAP funding would be paused due to the shutdown. Some states utilized their own funds or federal dollars from court orders to replenish electronic benefit cards, while others didn’t. Most states enhanced support for food charities, although many faced long lines and empty shelves.
More SNAP recipients will face work requirements
A significant tax and spending bill signed into law in July introduced tougher work requirements for many adult SNAP recipients, mandating them to work, volunteer, or train for at least 80 hours monthly. Those who do not comply will face restrictions to three months of benefits within three years.
These work requirements previously applied only to adults aged 18-54. The new law extends this to those aged 55-64 and parents without children under 14. Exemptions for homeless individuals, veterans, and young adults aging out of foster care have been removed, with states facing limitations in waiving work requirements.
The Trump administration temporarily waived these requirements in November, but starting December, the three-month limitation on work-free benefits will be active, which the Congressional Budget Office estimates could decrease SNAP recipients by 2.4 million over the next decade.
Agriculture secretary casts doubt about SNAP
Following the shutdown, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, overseeing SNAP, has expressed concerns over fraudulent claims within the program, suggesting that all SNAP recipients might need to reapply. This raises questions about whether a new requirement would emerge or if it refers to existing recertification processes.
Federal law mandates that most households report their income and information every four to six months, with full recertification every 12 months, extendable to every 24 months for older or disabled households. Yet, states have the authority to increase the frequency of eligibility checks, which has already been implemented by 27 states.
