States are alerting SNAP recipients that their food assistance eligibility may change as the November deadline to comply with the One Big Beautiful Bill nears.
The sweeping legislation, passed into law over the summer, revamps the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — formerly known as the Food Stamp Program — which currently supports more than 42 million Americans. The overhaul is projected to cut federal spending on the program by about $186 billion over the next decade, likely pushing some participants out of eligibility.
Several provisions of the bill will take effect in November. Here’s what you should know about the upcoming changes.
New Work Requirements and Fewer Exceptions
One of the most significant updates targets ABAWDs — able-bodied adults without dependents. In simple terms, these individuals must show proof that they’re working at least 80 hours per month, enrolled in school, or participating in a training program to remain eligible for SNAP benefits. Without documentation, they can only receive assistance for up to three months.
Previously, this work rule applied only to adults ages 18 to 54. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill, it now extends to all able-bodied adults under 65, meaning more recipients must verify employment or participation in qualifying programs to keep their benefits.
Parents caring for a dependent under 18 were previously exempt from the work requirements, but that exemption now only applies to those responsible for a child under 14.
In addition, veterans, homeless individuals, and young adults transitioning out of foster care were once excluded from the rule. Under the new law, these groups must now also meet the work requirements to receive SNAP benefits beyond the three-month limit.
On the other hand, the new law introduces an additional exemption to the work requirements for “Indians, also referred to as Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Indigenous Peoples, and Tribal Members,” as defined in the legislation.
Although these changes officially took effect when the law was enacted on July 4, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) granted states 120 days to fully implement them. That deadline ends on Nov. 1, 2025.
What If There Aren’t Enough Jobs?
In regions where job opportunities are limited, ABAWD work requirements may be temporarily waived. To qualify for a waiver under the One Big Beautiful Bill, an area must have an unemployment rate above 10%. However, Alaska and Hawaii follow slightly different criteria for these waivers.
Immigrant SNAP Eligibility
The One Big Beautiful Bill also revises “non-citizen eligibility for SNAP,” affecting several legally present groups. According to Oregon’s Department of Human Services, refugees, asylum recipients, and human trafficking survivors will all lose benefits under the new rules.
The Food and Nutrition Service has not yet outlined the full details of how this provision will be applied but stated that “further guidance is forthcoming.”
More Changes to Come
Critics warn that other parts of the One Big Beautiful Bill will further restrict who qualifies for food assistance and how much aid families receive. The law changes how annual cost-of-living adjustments are calculated, alters the way utility costs factor into benefit amounts, and eliminates funding for the SNAP Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program, which previously helped expand access to healthy food options.
Another major provision of the bill shifts a larger share of SNAP administrative costs to the states. Previously, the expenses were split evenly between the states and the federal government. Starting in the 2027 fiscal year, states will cover 75% of those costs.
For the first time, some states will also begin paying a portion of the actual food benefits beginning in the 2028 fiscal year.
Under the new law, the federal government will fully fund SNAP benefits only for states that maintain an error rate below 6% in payments to recipients. According to federal data, just seven states met that standard last year: Idaho, Nebraska, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Nationwide, nearly 11% of SNAP payments had errors last year.
Starting in 2028, states with error rates greater than 6% will have to cover between 5% and 15% of the cost of SNAP benefits. Those with higher error rates generally must pay more, but a Senate amendment delays the cost-share implementation to as late as 2030 for states with the highest mistake rates.
As a result of the cost shift, the CBO assumes that some states would reduce or eliminate SNAP benefits for people.
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