Changes to SNAP Amid Government Shutdown
The new rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are set to take effect this Saturday. However, because of the ongoing government shutdown, benefits won’t start being issued until November unless federal funding is secured.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has outlined on its website how benefits have effectively “run dry.” They place responsibility on Senate Democrats for halting benefits starting Saturday.
The USDA states, “Senate Democrats have now voted 13 times to defund the food stamp program, also known as SNAP.” They emphasize that there will be no benefits available on November 1st, urging Senate Democrats to choose between continuing funding for various initiatives or reopening the government to assist struggling families in accessing crucial nutritional support.
While SNAP benefits remain on hold pending further funding, President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act introduces new restrictions starting Saturday. This is likely to lead to some individuals being removed from the program, as it anticipates federal spending reductions by around $186 billion over the next decade.
A significant change will affect able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWD), who will now need to demonstrate they work at least 80 hours a month, are participating in education, or are engaged in a training program to retain their SNAP eligibility. Without proper documentation, recipients may only obtain benefits for three months.
Additionally, adults under 65 who are eligible must now prove they are employed to keep receiving benefits. This requirement previously only applied to parents with children under 18; now it extends to those with dependents under 14, while certain groups like youth, veterans, and the homeless must meet work conditions to access benefits for longer than three months.
Another significant adjustment impacts the “Noncitizen SNAP Eligibility” criteria that affect immigrants, including lawful permanent residents and undocumented individuals. State agencies are required to consider the family circumstances of immigrants during their benefit certification periods before informing them of any changes to their eligibility.
Unfortunately, refugees and victims of human trafficking receiving asylum are also slated to lose their benefits, as highlighted in a memo from the Oregon Department of Human Services.
The looming question is whether the USDA will allocate emergency funds to cover SNAP benefits through November. Recently, a federal judge ruled against the Trump administration’s attempt to cut these benefits, asserting that emergency funds can be utilized broader than initially claimed.
About $5.25 billion has been earmarked for the program in November, but it falls short of the $9.2 billion needed, according to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.
On Friday, Rollins articulated concerns over the misconceptions surrounding available reserve funds. She explained that such funds are typically reserved for unexpected events like natural disasters, contrasting them with the current situation.
President Trump later hinted at plans to allocate funding for SNAP but acknowledged potential delays until November, citing legal uncertainties surrounding the funds that can be used for SNAP.
He stated, “We don’t want Americans to go hungry because Radical Democrats refuse to do the right thing and reopen the government,” asking legal advisors to clarify how SNAP can be funded promptly.
