As of February 1, 2026, new work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have been enacted, significantly impacting many low-income Americans. These changes align with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which aims to tighten eligibility and limit benefits.

Expanded Coverage:
Adults aged 18 to 64 without dependent children must engage in work, job training programs, or volunteer activities, totaling at least 80 hours per month.

The age limit for those needing to meet these work requirements has been raised from 54 to 64, thus expanding the affected population.

Time Limit:
Those who fail to meet the new requirements may only receive SNAP benefits for three months within a three-year period.

The new rules remove previous exemptions for:

Veterans
Homeless individuals
Young adults who aged out of foster care
Previously exempt recipients, including parents with children aged 14 or older, are now required to comply with the work demands.

Potential Impact:
These changes are predicted to reduce SNAP participation by approximately 2.4 million people over the next decade.

This includes:
About 1.1 million able-bodied adults without dependents.

Approximately 300,000 caregivers with children aged 14 and older.

Estimated Reduction in Participation 2.4 million over 10 years

Additional Considerations
States with high unemployment rates may apply for waivers, allowing for flexibility in implementing these requirements.

The Department of Agriculture is committed to providing guidance to state agencies, helping to ensure compliance while also assisting eligible recipients in transitioning to employment or training programs.

The new requirements represent a significant shift in SNAP's operational framework, emphasizing work and responsibility as key components of receiving nutritional assistance.