Significant changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are poised to reshape how food assistance is delivered nationwide. The reforms—introduced under legislation referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—represent one of the most wide-ranging updates to SNAP in decades. The package includes reductions in federal spending as well as tightened eligibility criteria, marking a major shift in how the program is structured and administered.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that once the new rules take full effect, an average of about 2.4 million people each month could be affected. One of the most notable adjustments is the expansion of work requirements. Under the updated guidelines, most adults ages 18 through 64 will be required to work at least 80 hours per month to continue receiving benefits beyond a limited time frame. While some exemptions remain—for example, for individuals with disabilities or parents caring for young children—others that previously offered flexibility have been removed.
Eliminated exemptions include those covering veterans, individuals experiencing homelessness, and young adults who recently aged out of foster care. States may still request waivers in regions with persistently high unemployment rates, though the criteria for doing so have become narrower. The legislation also includes changes to immigration eligibility, limiting participation primarily to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. According to CBO projections, this shift could affect roughly 90,000 people per month who previously qualified under humanitarian or temporary protections.
Another notable provision pauses updates to the Thrifty Food Plan—the formula used to determine benefit levels—until 2027 as part of broader efforts to control program costs. Supporters of the reforms argue that the updates promote accountability and workforce engagement, while critics warn that the changes may place additional strain on households already struggling with food access. As implementation unfolds, public debate is expected to continue over how to balance cost control with the needs of vulnerable communities.
