Starting this November, millions of Americans will experience major updates to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program. The changes, part of the new One Big Beautiful Bill Act, mark one of the largest overhauls of the federal food assistance system in decades.
According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the legislation reduces federal SNAP funding by $187 billion through 2034, altering how benefits are distributed and who qualifies for them. These changes affect both individuals and state governments, reshaping how the nation combats food insecurity.
Expanded Work Requirements Under SNAP
One of the most significant updates involves expanded work requirements for adults who receive SNAP benefits.
Previously, adults aged 18 to 54 were required to work at least 80 hours per month to maintain benefits beyond three months within a three-year period. Under the new law, that upper age limit increases to 64, adding millions of older Americans to the work-requirement group.
Certain exemptions remain — for example, people with verified physical or mental limitations may still qualify without meeting the 80-hour rule. However, many exemptions that once protected vulnerable groups have now been eliminated.
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Parents with dependents: Previously, parents with minor children were exempt from the work rule. Now, only those with children 13 years old or younger qualify for this exemption.
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Homeless individuals, veterans, and young adults who aged out of foster care are no longer automatically exempt.
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States can still request waivers if their unemployment rate exceeds 10 percent or if other economic hardship factors exist. Alaska and Hawaii qualify automatically when their unemployment rates rise to 150 percent of the national average.
The new rules officially took effect on July 4, and states have 120 days to fully implement them.
SNAP Participation Expected to Decline
The CBO projects that the updated rules will lead to an estimated 2.4 million fewer SNAP participants per month between now and 2034.
Currently, around 41 million Americans rely on SNAP each month to help feed their families. While some tribal communities will gain expanded access through special exemptions, the overall number of households receiving benefits is expected to drop.
This decline will likely be most visible among older adults and single individuals who now face stricter work mandates.
Tightened Eligibility for Immigrants
Another major area of reform affects immigrant eligibility.
The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 previously allowed certain non-citizens — including long-term residents, individuals granted humanitarian parole, and those classified as “non-deportable” — to receive limited SNAP benefits.
The new legislation eliminates those exceptions.
Only U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) will now qualify for food assistance, with very few exceptions.
This change will result in about 90,000 immigrants losing eligibility every month, according to CBO estimates.
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) criticized the policy, saying it “eliminates benefits for many immigrants who contributed for years and are now left without access to basic nutrition.”
The White House, however, defended the change, arguing it ensures fairness and protects taxpayer resources. In a statement, officials said the goal is to “prioritize American citizens and lawful residents while cutting down on fraud and misuse.”
The Thrifty Food Plan and Benefit Adjustments
SNAP benefits are calculated using the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP), a federal model that estimates the cost of providing a nutritious diet for families.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) last updated the plan in 2021, leading to higher benefits for millions of families. However, the new law freezes TFP revisions until October 2027 and mandates that all future updates be cost-neutral.
In simple terms, this means benefit levels will not increase due to new cost analyses, regardless of rising food prices or inflation.
Cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) will continue each year but are now capped by household size. For example, a five-person household’s maximum benefit recently increased from $1,158 to $1,183 — a smaller rise compared to previous years.
Additionally, benefit calculations will now be standardized nationally, removing the regional adjustments that previously accounted for differences in food prices between states.
Financial Burden Shifts to State Governments
Beyond changes for individuals, the One Big Beautiful Bill also transforms how federal and state governments share SNAP administrative costs.
Until now, the federal government reimbursed states for 50 percent of administrative expenses. Starting in Fiscal Year 2027 (October 2026), that rate drops to 25 percent.
This shift means states must now cover a much larger share of the cost of operating SNAP.
For example, Florida projects an additional $50.6 million in annual expenses, according to Bridget Royster, Assistant Secretary for Florida’s Department of Children and Families.
In addition, states with error rates above six percent — meaning incorrect payments or ineligible benefits — will face new penalties and shared financial responsibility for overpayments.
Historically, most states have exceeded that six-percent threshold at some point, raising concerns that state governments could face up to $1 billion in collective costs if they fail to improve administrative accuracy.
National Impact and Public Reaction
The sweeping overhaul has sparked widespread debate across the country.
Supporters of the legislation say the changes will reduce fraud, promote accountability, and encourage self-sufficiency among able-bodied adults. They argue that the prior system was too lenient and open to abuse.
Critics, however, warn that the new restrictions could worsen food insecurity — especially for vulnerable populations such as older workers, parents with teenagers, and low-income immigrants.
Advocates for food security note that many Americans rely on SNAP not because they refuse to work, but because their wages are too low to afford rising food costs.
“The reality is that food insecurity isn’t about laziness — it’s about affordability,” said a spokesperson from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP). “These cuts could push millions into deeper poverty.”
What the USDA Says
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees the SNAP program, has not yet released complete implementation guidance for all provisions of the new law.
On its website, the agency stated only:
“Further guidance is forthcoming.”
This leaves states rushing to interpret the law’s requirements on their own, update software systems, and retrain caseworkers before the November deadline.
What Households Should Expect in the Coming Months
For the more than 41 million people who depend on SNAP benefits, the coming months will be crucial.
Recipients should:
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Verify eligibility – Ensure income, age, and employment information are updated with local SNAP offices.
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Plan ahead – Benefit amounts may change based on household size and regional cost adjustments.
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Stay informed – Watch for official state communications about the new rules.
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Seek local support – Community food banks and nonprofit organizations may help bridge the gap during the transition.
Conclusion
The SNAP food stamp changes set to roll out this November represent one of the most substantial transformations to the nation’s food assistance program in decades.
While the One Big Beautiful Bill Act aims to reduce federal spending and encourage employment, it also raises questions about access, equity, and the federal government’s responsibility to support vulnerable citizens.
As the USDA finalizes implementation guidelines and states adjust to the new funding model, millions of Americans will be watching closely to see how these changes impact their daily lives — and whether the restructured SNAP program will strengthen or strain the nation’s food safety net.