Beginning this November, sweeping updates to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are set to take effect under the new One Big Beautiful Bill Act, marking one of the most significant overhauls of food assistance policy in decades. With grocery prices and living costs still elevated, millions of low- and moderate-income households are bracing for changes that could affect their monthly benefits — and, for some, their eligibility altogether.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that SNAP will see $187 billion in funding reductions through 2034, as federal lawmakers seek to shift both costs and responsibilities toward states. Officials describe the move as part of a broader effort to promote accountability and workforce participation, while advocacy groups warn the changes could deepen food insecurity for families already struggling to make ends meet.
One of the most consequential adjustments expands work requirements for adults receiving food assistance. Previously, recipients between ages 18 and 54 were required to log at least 80 work hours per month to retain benefits long-term. Under the new policy, that threshold now extends to age 64, pulling older adults — many approaching retirement age — into compliance with employment rules that critics say fail to reflect economic realities or health limitations.
While exemptions still exist for individuals with verified medical conditions, the act removes several key protections that once covered vulnerable groups such as veterans, homeless individuals, and those recently aged out of foster care. Social service organizations caution that these rollbacks could leave thousands without essential food support during transitional or unstable periods of life.
The law also introduces a freeze on adjustments to the Thrifty Food Plan, the federal measure used to calculate benefit levels. This means benefit increases will be paused until 2027 and, afterward, capped by a new “cost-neutral” requirement — effectively preventing future adjustments from keeping pace with inflation or rising grocery prices.
States, meanwhile, will assume a larger share of administrative costs, a shift that could lead to tighter local restrictions or delayed processing times in high-demand regions. For the nation’s 41 million SNAP recipients, the coming months may bring not only smaller benefits but also new layers of complexity as states race to update systems and notify households of rule changes.