Here’s what Americans on SNAP will have to do now.
Major changes to the federal food stamp program are now taking effect nationwide, as President Trump’s latest reforms expand work requirements for millions of Americans receiving government assistance.
Beginning Sunday, able-bodied adults between the ages of 18 and 64 who do not have dependent children must work, enroll in approved job-training programs, or volunteer at least 80 hours per month to remain eligible for benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Those who fail to meet the requirement will be limited to just three months of benefits within a three-year period.
The updated rules also extend work requirements to groups that were previously exempt. This includes adults ages 55 to 64 and parents with children age 14 or older. Longstanding exemptions for veterans, homeless individuals, and certain young adults who aged out of foster care have also been eliminated under the new law, according to federal guidance.
The changes were authorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law last summer. Supporters say the reforms are designed to encourage employment, strengthen personal responsibility, and ensure taxpayer dollars are focused on those who truly need assistance.
Federal budget analysts estimate the impact will be significant. The Congressional Budget Office projects that SNAP enrollment will decline by approximately 2.4 million people over the next ten years as a result of the new requirements. A large share of those affected are able-bodied adults without dependents, while several hundred thousand are adults living in households with teenagers.
In addition to work requirements, the law makes broader adjustments to how food stamp benefits are calculated. Future benefit increases will be more limited, and changes to how housing and living expenses are counted could result in smaller monthly payments over time — even for some recipients who remain eligible.
While the expanded rules officially take effect Sunday in states such as Illinois and Ohio, enforcement varies by state. Texas began implementing its updated requirements last fall, meaning some recipients there may have already exhausted their three-month eligibility window. In states including Alaska, Hawaii, Colorado, and Georgia, that clock began in November and is now expiring for many participants.
The legislation includes carve-outs for regions with limited job opportunities. Counties where unemployment exceeds 10 percent can apply for temporary exemptions, while Alaska and Hawaii are permitted to pause work requirements if joblessness climbs well above the national rate.
Budget officials have also warned that future provisions could place additional financial responsibility on states, potentially leading to program adjustments or tighter eligibility rules in the years ahead.
Currently, nearly 42 million Americans receive SNAP benefits. Data shows that more than 80 percent of participating households report incomes at or below the federal poverty line.
