Veterans are now required to meet labor requirements for food assistance under a new law signed by President Trump, raising concerns about their ability to find work.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously known as food stamps, used to allow certain exemptions for veterans. However, starting in 2026, all SNAP recipients, including veterans, will need to show that they are actively seeking at least 80 hours of work each month to maintain their benefits. This also includes participating in vocational training or volunteering.
Currently, about 1.2 million veterans live in households that rely on SNAP for support.
One veteran expressed his frustration, saying, “What I’m trying to do is settle in the apartment. It’s stable in the apartment. I’m qualified to get a job, so it’s not that I’m not looking for a job. I have to work. I’m in the transition. The obstacles don’t make it easy.”
Another veteran, Chavis, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, remarked, “No one even came to help me.”
The Center highlights that veterans often face challenges finding employment related to their military background, including a lack of experience in civilian jobs and discrimination, along with limited access to support services.
Adding to the concerns, black and Latino veterans report higher unemployment rates compared to their white counterparts.
While many veterans argue that the new work requirements overlook the unique challenges they face, supporters of the measures claim they are necessary to prevent abuse of the system. Robert Lecter, a senior researcher at a conservative think tank, mentioned that most individuals eligible for SNAP live in households with other sources of income, implying there may not be a significant food scarcity issue.
“We have tens of thousands of free food banks that people can go to,” he noted, implying that the work requirements are justifiable and necessary.
