Newsman: SNAP benefits were reinstated for millions of Americans following the reopening of the federal government; many are now set to permanently lose them.
But the SNAP benefits eligibility requires new work requirements.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has been directing states to implement new guidance as part of President Donald Trump’s mega bill signed into law in July, which will include new work requirements, decreased eligibility for refugees and states shouldering some of the cost of the program.
Under the megabill, the upper age limit for those who need to meet work requirements was raised from age 54 to 64 for the first time for able-bodied adults without dependents
Additionally, exemptions were changed for parents or other family members with responsibility for a dependent under 18 years old to under 14 years old.
Estimates from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) published in August suggest that, as a result of the changes, more than 3 million Americans could lose assistance within the next few years.
According to CBO estimates, about 1.1 million people will lose SNAP benefits between 2025 and 2034, including 800,000 able-bodied adults through age 64 who don’t live with dependents and 300,000 parents or caregivers up to age 64 with children aged 14 and older.
Exemptions were also removed for homeless individuals, veterans and young adults who were in foster care when they turned age 18. Meanwhile, exemptions were added for American Indians.
CBO estimates the removal of these exemptions will lead to a loss of benefits for 300,000 people among those groups.
The nation’s largest nutrition assistance program was a flashpoint during the 43-day government shutdown, leading to unprecedented disruptions in payments and a litany of court rulings. The spending package that ended the shutdown on Nov. 12 restored full funding to the USDA, which oversees SNAP, after benefits were paused for the first time in the program’s history on Nov. 1.
To qualify, households must be at or below 130% of the poverty line, meaning they make up to 30% more than the federal poverty guideline, which in 2025 was $15,650 for a single person, $26,650 for a three-person household, and $37,650 for a five-person household.
A one-person household had a maximum monthly allotment of $298 in 2025, while a three-person household could get a maximum of $785 and a five-person household could receive $1,183, according to the USDA. There are special additional rules for households with elderly or disabled members.
Asylum seeker restrictions
Under the mega bill, refugees, asylum seekers and those granted legal protection for humanitarian reasons are no longer eligible for SNAP benefits, removing decades of federal precedent.
This includes trafficking victims who were previously certified by the Department of Health and Human Services and Iraqi or Afghan special immigrant visa holders who worked with U.S. forces or agencies.
Under CBO estimates, about 90,000 people in these categories will become ineligible for SNAP benefits.
The only non-citizens who can still receive benefits include lawful permanent residents, although they must wait five years after receiving their green card, with certain exceptions.
SNAP benefits are determined by states and funded by the USDA. Recipients must recertify regularly to maintain eligibility. Typically, benefits can only be provided for 3 months within a 36-month period, unless additional work-related requirements apply. Approved recipients are given a finite timeline to access their benefits.
Nearly 42 million Americans, including low-income families and vulnerable households, rely on SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, to help pay for groceries or other household essentials.
Some food banks see up to 1,800% surge in demand since SNAP benefits were halted.
However, work requirements can reduce program participation. A 2021 report from the National Bureau of Economic Research found SNAP work requirements could lead to up to 53% of eligible adults exiting the program within 18 months.
States sharing costs
States will have to share in the cost of SNAP benefits under the megabill, a change from the federal government shouldering the cost of the program.
Under the megabill, states with SNAP payment error rates above 6% have to pay a share of 5% — starting in 2028 — up to a maximum of 15 % of SNAP benefit costs.
CBO estimates some states will keep their current benefits and eligibility, while others will modify and some will leave the program altogether. This will reduce or eliminate SNAP benefits for about 300,000 people between 2028 and 2034.
Reapply versus recertifying for SNAP
Participants must recertify their information at least every 6 months, depending on the state and their status. They must report any changes to household status, income, medical needs, work history, and other personal information.
Those who do not recertify benefits in time no longer receive them and have to reapply entirely.
Brooke L. Rollins is the current U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Rollins has suggested, Reapplying entirely is a more intense, time-consuming and costly process than recertifying. States are now responsible for a higher share of administrative costs to maintain and distribute benefits under the “Big Beautiful Bill,” meaning nearly 42 million Americans reapplying from scratch would impose a burden on personnel and administrative costs.
The process can sometimes be done online, depending on the state. Still, it entails completing an online application and submitting pertinent documents such as proof of identity and citizenship, proof of residence, proof of income and household expenses, medical expenses, and the like. Applicants must then complete an eligibility interview, wait for state verification and then wait for a decision from the state, which typically takes about 30 days.
Recertifying is an abbreviated version of this process, focusing on confirming current eligibility and updating information already in the system. Typically, recipients complete a shorter form, submit fresh documentation of household status and any changes, and, in some states, complete another brief interview.
