The Department of Agriculture is set to enforce stricter work requirements for recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) starting in December. This change aligns with the provisions laid out in the recently passed “Big Beautiful Bill.” Previously, work requirements were already in place for able-bodied adults, mandating 80 hours of work, job training, or community service monthly. Those who failed to comply faced limits on benefits for a three-month period within a three-year span. Exemptions were allowed for certain groups, including those unable to work due to physical or mental limitations, pregnant women, and parents of children under 18.
The new legislation adjusts the age parameters of the work requirement, raising the upper limit from 54 to 64 years. While families with children will still be exempt, the threshold has shifted down to children younger than 14. Notably, veterans, the homeless, and young adults transitioning out of foster care will now be subject to the same three-month limit, a significant shift in policy. However, the bill creates new exemptions for Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Indigenous peoples, and tribal members. Additionally, areas with an unemployment rate exceeding 10 percent may be granted work requirement waivers, though exceptions exist for Hawaii and Alaska.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins recently emphasized the need for all SNAP recipients to reapply. This requirement comes in response to findings of fraud within the program. Rollins pointed out that under President Joe Biden, the cost of SNAP increased by approximately 40 percent, although some critics label this statistic misleading, noting that the number of recipients remained fairly stable at about 42 million. The cost jumped notably from $60.4 billion in 2019 to $79.2 billion in 2020 and surged to $100.3 billion last year.
In a recent statement, Rollins discussed the reapplication process, underscoring its importance for ensuring that SNAP is supporting those who truly need assistance. “It’s going to give us a platform and a trajectory to fundamentally rebuild this program,” she said. The Secretary’s comments suggest a thorough reevaluation of the program’s beneficiaries is in order, marking a significant policy shift under the Biden administration.
In 2021, a change to the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) under SNAP resulted in a 21 percent increase in the average cost per recipient without congressional approval, further influencing the surge in overall costs. The implementation of benefit increases starting in fiscal year 2022 has also been linked to the rise in SNAP expenses, pushing the projected total cost of the program over the next decade to an astonishing $250 billion more than previous estimates.
The Cato Institute has praised the “Big Beautiful Bill” for its provisions aimed at placing constraints on the USDA’s ability to adjust the TFP without congressional oversight, highlighting a strong call for a more regulated approach to benefit increases. Critics argue that the unilateral changes made by the Biden administration should have been rescinded by Congress, emphasizing the need for accountability in government spending.
As these changes unfold, the implications for SNAP participants will be significant. With stricter eligibility criteria and an emphasis on verifying the need for assistance, the Department of Agriculture aims to sharpen the focus on who receives aid. This legislative adjustment reflects a broader effort to ensure that taxpayer resources are directed to individuals who genuinely require support, thereby reinforcing the program’s integrity in the process.
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