This November, one of the most significant overhauls of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in decades will begin rolling out across the United States. While framed by lawmakers as a move toward greater accountability and fiscal responsibility, the reforms—enacted under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—are sparking intense debate over their potential impact on millions of low-income Americans who rely on food assistance to survive.
According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the changes will reduce federal SNAP spending by an estimated $187 billion over the next ten years, reshaping eligibility, work requirements, immigrant access, and state responsibilities in ways that could leave 2.4 million fewer people receiving benefits each month by 2034.
Expanded Work Requirements
One of the most consequential changes involves the expansion of work rules. Previously, adults aged 18 to 54 without dependents were required to work at least 80 hours per month to receive SNAP benefits beyond three months in a 36-month period.
Under the new law, this requirement now applies to individuals up to age 65, significantly broadening the group subject to these conditions.
Exemptions remain for those who are physically or mentally unable to work, as confirmed by federal guidelines. However, other long-standing exemptions have been eliminated—including for homeless individuals, veterans, and former foster youth under age 25.
For parents, the threshold has also shifted: only those with children aged 13 or younger will be exempt from work requirements. Parents of older teens no longer qualify for this protection.
States may still request waivers in areas with unemployment rates of 10% or higher. Alaska and Hawaii receive automatic consideration if their unemployment reaches 150% of the national average.
Tighter Rules for Immigrant Eligibility
The reforms also narrow access for non-citizens. Under prior law, certain long-term residents—including those admitted before June 30, 1948, individuals granted deferred deportation, or those entering under federal parole—could qualify for SNAP.
The new legislation eliminates most of these pathways, restricting eligibility primarily to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs). A limited number of humanitarian exceptions remain, but many undocumented and legally present immigrants will lose access.
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) estimates that approximately 90,000 individuals per month will become ineligible due to these changes.
The White House has defended the policy, stating:
“Illegal immigrants cost taxpayers billions in free healthcare and welfare. The One Big Beautiful Bill ends SNAP and Medicaid fraud, ensuring these programs serve only eligible Americans.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has acknowledged the shift, noting on its website:
“This update modifies non-citizen eligibility for SNAP. Further guidance will be issued.”
Changes to the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP)
Separately, beginning October 1, 2024, updates to the Thrifty Food Plan—the benchmark used to calculate SNAP benefit levels—will take effect. While the USDA implemented standard cost-of-living adjustments for 2025 (e.g., raising the maximum monthly benefit for a five-person household from $1,158 to $1,183), future revisions face new constraints.
Under the new law:
The next TFP review cannot occur before October 1, 2027.
All future updates must be cost-neutral, meaning they cannot increase total program spending.
Annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) will be capped based on household size.
The same TFP cost model must now apply uniformly to all households, regardless of composition.
These changes effectively limit the program’s ability to respond to rising food costs or evolving nutritional science.
Increased Burden on States
Perhaps one of the most pressing challenges lies in administrative funding. Currently, the federal government covers 50% of state administrative costs for running SNAP. Starting October 1, 2026 (FY 2027), that share drops to 25%, shifting a significant financial burden to states.
Additionally, a new penalty system will require states to pay extra if their payment error rate exceeds 6%—a threshold that includes overpayments, underpayments, and improper enrollments.
Historical data shows this is a high bar: only nine states maintained error rates below 6% in FY 2024, and nearly all have exceeded it at some point since 2003.
In Florida, officials estimate the reduced federal reimbursement alone could cost the state $50.6 million annually. With penalties, that figure could approach $1 billion per year if error rates aren’t improved.
Bridget Royster, Assistant Secretary for the Florida Department of Children and Families, recently told state legislators her agency is actively working to reduce errors to avoid these steep new costs.

A Turning Point in U.S. Food Policy
The November implementation marks a pivotal moment in America’s social safety net. Proponents argue the reforms promote personal responsibility, reduce fraud, and ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently. Critics, however, warn that the changes risk deepening food insecurity among working families, seniors, veterans, and vulnerable populations who fall through newly narrowed eligibility gaps.
With 41 million Americans currently relying on SNAP each month, the stakes are high. As states race to adapt to tighter rules and shrinking support, communities nationwide will feel the ripple effects of what may be the most comprehensive transformation of food assistance in a generation.
Conclusion: Efficiency vs. Compassion?
At the heart of this debate lies a fundamental question: Can the nation balance fiscal discipline with moral obligation?
Supporters see the One Big Beautiful Bill Act as a necessary correction to a system they view as bloated and prone to abuse. Opponents fear it sacrifices humanity for austerity—punishing the poor for systemic failures beyond their control.
As the changes take hold this fall, the true measure of success won’t be found in budget spreadsheets, but in kitchen tables across America:
Will families still have enough to eat?
That answer will define not just the future of SNAP—but the character of the country itself