New SNAP Requirements: Work Mandates and Eligibility Changes

New SNAP Work Requirements

• 🎯 Starting December 1st, millions of SNAP recipients must work, train, or volunteer at least 80 hours per month to maintain benefits.
• 🔑 This change applies to new applicants and current recipients at their next recertification.

Expanded Eligibility Criteria

• 📈 The age limit for work requirements has been raised from 54 to 64 years old.
• ⚠️ Previous exemptions for homeless individuals, veterans, and young adults aging out of foster care have been eliminated.

Impact and Projections

• 📊 The Congressional Budget Office estimates these new requirements will reduce the number of SNAP recipients by approximately 2.4 million people over the next decade.
• 💰 The agriculture secretary mentioned efforts to combat SNAP fraud, with investigations into approximately $100 billion in spending and the removal of nearly 700,000 people from the program.

Legal Challenges

• ⚖️ The Attorney General, along with 21 other states, has filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's new federal guidance, arguing it could wrongfully cut off lawfully present immigrants from food assistance.