The new eligibility criteria for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, effective September 1, 2025, stem from the federal budget legislation known as the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act of 2025.”
This legislation, promoted by the Republican Party and signed into law by President Donald Trump, introduces substantial changes to work requirements for a specific segment of the beneficiary population.
The changes primarily focus on able-bodied adults without dependents, known as ABAWDs. Changes to SNAP benefits that affect millions The provisions establish that individuals under 55 years of age who do not have dependent children must demonstrate a minimum of 20 hours per week of employment-related activities.
Changes to SNAP benefits that affect millions
This amount, equivalent to 80 hours per month, can be completed through paid work, participation in formal education or training programs, or volunteer work. Failure to comply with this requirement results in a time limit on receiving aid, with access to benefits being granted for only three months within a three-year period.
The implementation of these regulations represents a significant expansion of the prerequisites for maintaining eligibility under the food assistance program. These changes are administered by state and county departments of social services, which are responsible for verifying compliance with the required hours.
The scope of the work requirements will be expanded to include groups previously exempt from these obligations. Among the groups affected by this expansion are veterans and people between the ages of 55 and 64. These beneficiaries will now be subject to the same requirement of completing 20 hours per week of work, training, or volunteering.
The legislation also proposes a change to the definition of dependent, lowering the work-eligible age from 18 to 7. This change means that parents or guardians with children over this new age threshold could be subject to the same work requirements as ABAWDs.
At the same time, eligibility restrictions have been implemented for certain immigrant groups, including refugee status.
Other changes to SNAP that could impact your allocations
The regulations provide a series of exemptions for those not required to comply with the new employment requirements. For example, individuals who demonstrate paid employment with earnings above $217.50 per week before taxes, a threshold equivalent to the federal minimum wage for 30 hours of work, are excluded.
Also exempt are individuals:
- with certified physical or mental disabilities,
- pregnant women,
- and those responsible for the care of a child under 6 years of age or a disabled person.
Other exempt categories include participants in alcohol or drug treatment programs, part-time students—although additional rules apply to college students—and homeless individuals, veterans, or young people under 24 who were in foster care when they reached the age of majority.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has begun sending voluntary surveys to beneficiaries to proactively identify those who may qualify for these exemptions. Federal cuts to SNAP benefits: fewer benefits for fewer people According to estimates by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the new legislation will cut $186 billion in funding for SNAP benefits by 2034.
This federal budget cut translates into a redistribution of financial burdens, as, for the first time, states will be required to bear part of the cost of benefits and program administration costs.
What are the maximum SNAP amounts up to September 2025?
The contiguous United States and the District of Columbia adhere to the following benefit allotments for the SNAP program, effective through September 30, 2025. The monthly amounts are set at $292 for a one-person household, $536 for two people, $768 for three people, $975 for four people, $1,158 for five people, $1,390 for six people, $1,536 for seven people, and $1,756 for an eight-person household.
For households with more than eight members, an additional $220 will be added to the base allotment for each extra person. This incremental amount is consistent for all household sizes exceeding eight individuals within the designated states and time period.
What resources are available to help individuals meet the new SNAP work requirements?
Individuals subject to the new SNAP work requirements can access a range of resources to help them meet these mandates, including employment and training programs, job placement assistance, skills development, community service opportunities, and support services such as transportation and childcare.
Core Support Programs
- SNAP Employment & Training (E&T): Each state operates a SNAP E&T program, providing recipients with access to skills training, job search support, vocational education, resume workshops, and job placement services.
- Local Community Programs: States team up with non-profits and schools. They provide hands-on job training and career skills. This support helps people with barriers, like criminal records.
- **Community Service and Volunteering:** Joining community service can meet work requirements. Caseworkers can help connect recipients to local volunteer options.
- Job Experience Training: Many areas run programs like JETS, offering experience in fields such as culinary arts, healthcare, and skilled trades while recipients still receive SNAP.
Additional Assistance
- **Support Services:** Many SNAP E&T programs help with transportation costs for work or training. They also provide work clothes and offer childcare. This support reduces barriers to participation.
- Education Opportunities: Enrolling in approved training programs, community colleges, or pursuing certificates counts toward the work requirement, provided the course load is eligible.
- **Exemptions and Case Management:** Caseworkers assist people in documenting exemptions like disability, caregiving, or education. They also help with reporting requirements to ensure compliance with the new rules.
Where to Start
- State Websites: Most states now offer updated online guides. For example, check dhs.pa.gov/work. These guides help residents find job training, employment opportunities, and community service placements.
- **SNAP Offices & COMPASS Portals:** Local offices and online portals help connect participants to approved programs. They also offer support with documentation.
- **National and Community Resources:** National hotlines and directories, found on USDA and state SNAP pages, connect you to local job centers, nonprofits, and workforce development agencies.
These resources are designed to help SNAP recipients avoid time limits, build self-sufficiency skills, and maintain their nutrition assistance by fulfilling the new federal requirements.
Sources:
- https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/work-requirements
- https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap-et
- https://dhs.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dhs/service_content/attachments/SNAP%20Employment%20and%20Training%20FAQ_update%2010-31-19.pdf
- https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/snap/snap-employment-training
- https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/snap/snap-work-requirements-abawds
