The federal government has changed the SNAP laws, requiring states to implement certain standards to increase eligibility. All state agencies have received a reminder from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding the work requirements for recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Food stamps, sometimes referred to as SNAP benefits, are given to low- and no-income households in the US that would otherwise find it difficult to pay for their groceries each month. Thanks to SNAP benefits, almost 41 million people have improved their financial and health well-being in 2024.
SNAP benefits rules have recently changed, and this is what beneficiaries need to be aware of
The USDA has emphasized to state agencies administering SNAP that they must comply with federal employment requirements on April 17. Additionally, a USDA official told Newsweek that the memorandum restates the essential provisions of the law: the Secretary may grant able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWD) an exemption from the time limit.
To ensure that ABAWD waivers are used only when they are consistent with the Act and, to the greatest extent possible, maintain the integrity of SNAP, the department reaffirms its commitment to offer technical assistance and to keep in touch with state agencies during the waiver review process. Although it is not a formal directive, the USDA document has generated debate. According to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, numerous states have misused the system by asking for exemptions from labor laws. The letter states that when there is a high unemployment rate of above 10 percent in the residents’ area or when there are not enough jobs to support the residents, work requirement waivers must be granted.
What is the purpose of SNAP work waivers?
USDA regulations require SNAP recipients who are 18 to 54 years old to work or participate in a work program for a minimum of 80 hours per month, whether paid or unpaid. Here are the main exceptions to this rule that need to be considered:
- Disability to work because of a mental or physical impairment.
- Being pregnant.
- Having a SNAP recipient under the age of 18 living in the home.
- Being a veteran.
- Experiencing homelessness.
- Be age 24 or younger and have been in foster care at age 18.
If the employment requirements are not met, the recipients would forfeit their SNAP benefits after three months and would not be eligible to reapply for another three years. However, this is dependent on where you live, as states may seek authorization from the federal government to manage the program differently. SNAP waivers, introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, are currently in effect in multiple states to improve access to food benefits. There are currently 25 states and U.S. territories with waivers that apply to specific locations within a state or territory, and six states with state-level waivers that alter labor requirements for able-bodied adults. Waivers are typically granted for a full year.
The SNAP program has confirmed payment dates for the next month
- Alabama: May 4 to 23
- Alaska: May 1
- Arizona: May 1 to 13
- Arkansas: May 4 to 13
- California: May 1 to 10
- Colorado: May 1 to 10
- Connecticut: May 1 to 3
- Delaware: May 2 to 23
- District of Columbia: May 1 to 10
- Florida: May 1 to 28
- Georgia: May 5 to 23
- Guam: May 1 to 10
- Hawaii: May 3 to 5
- Idaho: May 1 to 10
- Illinois: May 1 to 20
- Indiana: May 5 to 23
- Iowa: May 1 to 10
- Kansas: May 1 to 10
- Kentucky: May 1 to 19
- Louisiana: May 1 to 23
- Maine: May 10 to 14
- Maryland: May 4 to 23
- Massachusetts: May 1 to 14
- Michigan: May 3 to 21
- Minnesota: May 4 to 13
- Mississippi: May 4 to 21
- Missouri: May 1 to 22
- Montana: May 2 to 6
- Nebraska: May 1 to 5
- Nevada: May 1 to 10
- New Hampshire: May 5
- New Jersey: May 1 to 5
- New Mexico: May 1 to 20
- New York: May 1 to 9
- North Carolina: May 3 to 21
- North Dakota: May 1
- Ohio: May 2 to 20
- Oklahoma: May 1 to 10
- Oregon: May 1 to 9
- Pennsylvania: May 3 to 14
- Puerto Rico: May 4 to May 22
- Rhode Island: May 1
- South Carolina: May 1 to 19
- South Dakota: May 10
- Tennessee: May 1 to 20
- Texas: May 1 to 28
- Utah: May 5, 11, and 15
- Virgin Islands: May 1
- Vermont: May 1
- Virginia: May 1 to 7
- Washington: May 1 to 20
- West Virginia: May 1 to 9
- Wisconsin: May 1 to 15
- Wyoming: May 1 to 4
