SNAP Update – New Food Stamps Rule Takes Effect in Less Than a Month

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) are implementing significant changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), specifically targeting Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs). These changes, set to take effect on October 1, 2024, will alter the eligibility criteria for those who wish to receive SNAP benefits beyond three months in a three-year period. If you fall into this category, it’s essential to understand the new requirements and how they might affect you.

Work Requirements

Starting October 2024, ABAWDs aged 18-54 must meet specific work requirements to continue receiving SNAP benefits beyond the three-month limit. The USDA mandates that you must work or participate in a qualifying activity for at least 80 hours per month. This rule applies whether you receive payment in money, services, or goods. Work can include volunteering, participating in job training, or a combination of these activities.

For example, if you are enrolled in SNAP Employment and Training programs or other eligible local, state, or federal training initiatives, these hours can count toward your 80-hour requirement. This flexibility allows you to choose the option that best fits your circumstances, but meeting the work requirement is crucial to avoid losing benefits.

Exemptions

Not everyone is subject to these stringent work requirements. The USDA has outlined several exemptions, which include the following categories:

1. Age-Based Exemptions: Individuals who are 24 or younger and were in foster care on their 18th birthday are exempt from the work requirement.
2. Homeless Individuals: If you are currently experiencing homelessness, you are not required to meet the 80-hour work or training threshold.
3. Veterans: Veterans are also exempt from these new rules, recognizing the unique challenges they may face in securing stable employment.
4. Disabilities: Whether physical or mental, disabilities provide an exemption from the ABAWD work requirements. This category is broad and includes those with any documented limitation that prevents them from working regularly.
5. Pregnancy: Pregnant individuals are automatically exempt from these work requirements.
6. Caretakers: Having a child or another person under 18 in your household exempts you from the ABAWD rules. In these cases, you do not need to meet the 80-hour work requirement, and the three-month time limit does not apply to your SNAP benefits.

Limiting vs. Expanding Exemptions

The changes to ABAWD work requirements have sparked debate on both sides of the issue.

Arguments for Limiting Exemptions:

• Encouraging Self-Sufficiency: Proponents argue that the work requirements incentivize self-sufficiency, encouraging individuals to transition from government assistance to financial independence.
• Reducing Reliance on Assistance: Limiting exemptions ensures that only those truly unable to work, such as those with severe disabilities, receive extended benefits, thus maintaining the integrity of the program.

Arguments for Expanding Exemptions:

• Addressing Barriers to Employment: Critics argue that strict work requirements disproportionately affect vulnerable individuals who may face significant barriers to employment, such as lack of access to stable jobs, transportation, education, healthcare, and other support services.
• Food Insecurity Concerns: Cutting off food assistance without addressing the root causes of unemployment could exacerbate food insecurity and poverty, worsening the conditions the program aims to alleviate.

Impact on Households

If you have a child or someone under 18 in your household, the ABAWD work requirements do not apply to you. Here’s how it works:

• General Work Requirements: These apply to adults aged 16-59 who are able to work, with certain exemptions, such as caring for a child under six or an incapacitated person.
• ABAWD-Specific Rules: These stricter rules apply to able-bodied adults aged 18-54 (as of 2024) without dependents. However, if you have someone under 18 in your household, you are exempt from these rules, meaning you do not need to fulfill the 80-hour work requirement or worry about the three-month limit.

Preparing for the Changes

The upcoming SNAP rule changes emphasize the importance of understanding your eligibility and meeting the necessary requirements. If you’re an ABAWD aged 18-54, it’s crucial to start planning now to ensure you meet the 80-hour monthly requirement or verify if you qualify for an exemption. The goal of these changes is to encourage work and self-sufficiency, but they also recognize the need to support those with significant barriers to employment.

For those exempt from the new rules, such as individuals with disabilities, pregnant women, veterans, and those with dependents, the focus should be on knowing and maintaining your exemption status to continue receiving benefits without interruption.

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