Millions of Americans face stricter rules for food assistance benefits under a newly implemented law. From 1 September, expanded work requirements apply to more groups, putting time limits on support for those who fail to comply.
The changes follow the passage of the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act of 2025,” a Republican-backed budget measure signed earlier this year by President Donald Trump. The overhaul targets recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), affecting eligibility rules and tightening conditions across the board.
Although work-related conditions were already in place for some SNAP users, this update significantly broadens their reach. Veterans, older adults, and parents with young children now face the same 20-hour-per-week work requirement as younger, childless adults, sparking fresh debates over fairness and feasibility.
Work Conditions Widened to Include Older Adults, Veterans, and Parents
Under the new rules, able-bodied adults without dependents—referred to as ABAWDs—must now work, train, study, or volunteer for at least 20 hours per week to retain their SNAP benefits. According to Futbolete, failure to meet this threshold restricts benefits to just three months over a three-year period.
For the first time, veterans and adults aged 55 to 64 are being brought into this framework. Previously, they had been exempt from work rules. In addition, the dependent age threshold has been lowered from 18 to 7, meaning parents of children older than seven must now also meet the same work requirements.
The update also affects certain immigrant groups, including some refugees, although the Department of Homeland Security is distributing voluntary surveys to help identify those eligible for exemptions. Other exempt groups include pregnant women, individuals with certified disabilities, caregivers of disabled persons, and participants in treatment programs for alcohol or substance use.
To monitor compliance, state and county agencies have been tasked with verifying work hours, and for the first time, states must now contribute to both benefit and administrative costs.
Budget Cuts Drive Policy Changes with £147 Billion in Projected Savings
The Congressional Budget Office has projected that the new legislation will reduce SNAP spending by $186 billion by 2034—a move that aligns with broader efforts to curb federal welfare costs. According to the law, this will be partly achieved by requiring states to shoulder more of the program’s financial burden.
Current benefit levels remain unchanged until the end of the federal fiscal year, with households receiving fixed monthly amounts based on size. For example, a household of three in the continental US or DC receives $768 per month, rising to $1,756 for eight people. Families with more than eight members receive an extra $220 per person.
While the cuts are designed to encourage employment and reduce dependency, critics argue they could place vulnerable populations at greater risk. Whether these measures lead to meaningful job growth or increased hardship remains to be seen.
