Millions may lose snap benefits

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 The risk of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits being shut off for millions of Americans is tied to two main factors:

1. The Federal Government Shutdown (Immediate Threat)

The most immediate cause for concern is the ongoing federal government shutdown.

 * Lapse in Funding: Because Congress did not pass an appropriations bill to fund the government, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees SNAP, warned that it would run out of funds to pay for the program's monthly benefits in November.

 * Legal Action: The Trump administration argued it could not legally use a contingency fund to cover the regular SNAP payments. However, Democratic-led states sued, and two federal judges on October 31, 2025, ruled that the administration must use these emergency reserves to continue paying at least partial SNAP benefits during the shutdown.

 * Uncertainty and Delays: While the court rulings mandate the use of reserve funds, the delay and the initial warning have caused significant uncertainty. Many beneficiaries may face delays or partial payments in November as states and their contractors need time to process the release of these funds.

2. Changes to Eligibility and Work Requirements (Long-Term Threat)

Separate from the shutdown, recent changes to SNAP eligibility rules threaten to reduce or end benefits for certain populations in the long term:

 * Expanded Work Requirements: The age limit for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) to be subject to work requirements has been raised from 54 to 64.

 * New Dependent Child Definition: The age of a dependent child that exempts a parent from the work requirements has been lowered from under 18 to under 14.

 * Loss of Exemptions: Certain groups, including some veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and those who aged out of foster care, are losing previous exemptions from the work requirements.

These new rules mandate that certain adults work or participate in job training for at least 80 hours per month to maintain their benefits. Because these rules are often confusing and difficult to comply with, experts predict that hundreds of thousands of people could lose their SNAP eligibility over the next year as the changes roll out.

Would you like to know more about the new SNAP work requirements or find resources for food assistance in your area during this uncertain time?