The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, has entered one of its most dramatic eras of reform. With the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) signed into law in 2025, the federal government has introduced sweeping changes that redefine who qualifies, how long they can receive aid, and how benefits are calculated.
These reforms represent a philosophical shift — from broad food security support to stricter, work-conditioned assistance. The expansion of work requirements, coupled with reduced federal cost-sharing and eligibility restrictions, is expected to reshape access for millions of Americans.
“This is the biggest transformation of SNAP since the 1996 welfare reform,” said Dr. Elaine Fisher, a social policy professor at the University of Chicago. “While the goal is self-sufficiency, the result may be deeper hunger among those least able to work.”
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Contents
Introduction to the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA)
The OBBBA of 2025 modifies nearly every major aspect of SNAP administration — from who qualifies to how states share costs. Proponents argue the changes modernize welfare by encouraging employment; critics warn they create new barriers for the poor, elderly, and disabled.
Key Highlights of the Act
| Category | Change |
|---|---|
| Work Requirements | Expanded to more age groups (18–64) |
| Exemptions Removed | Veterans, homeless individuals, and former foster youth now included under work rules |
| Dependent Age Rule | Reduced from under 18 to under 14 |
| TFP (Benefit Formula) | Future updates must be cost-neutral, limiting benefit growth |
| State Costs | States now shoulder 75% of administrative expenses by 2027 |
| SNAP-Ed Program | Federal funding eliminated (effective Oct 1, 2025) |
“The combination of tightened eligibility and new cost burdens will test state systems like never before,” warned Angela Whitmore, Director of the National Association of State SNAP Administrators.
New SNAP Benefits Rules
| Rule | Previous Policy | OBBBA 2025 Update |
|---|---|---|
| Work Requirement | 80 hours/month (unchanged) | Still 80 hours/month minimum |
| Time Limit | 3 months of benefits in a 36-month period without work | Same rule, but applied to a larger population |
| Age Range | 18–54 years | Expanded to 18–64 years |
| Dependent Child Exemption | Caring for a child under 18 | Reduced to child under 14 |
| Veteran, Homeless, Foster Youth Exemptions | Exempt under 2023 law | Eliminated — now subject to work/time limits |
This expansion means millions of older Americans, low-income veterans, and individuals experiencing homelessness must now meet strict 80-hour-per-month work or training mandates — or lose benefits after three months.
“This effectively punishes people for circumstances beyond their control,” said Marcus Dean, policy lead at Feeding America. “It’s not about encouraging work; it’s about shrinking access.”
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Impact on Benefit Calculations
Beyond eligibility, the OBBBA changes how SNAP benefits are calculated — potentially reducing benefit amounts in the long run.
1. Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) Restriction
- SNAP benefits are based on the Thrifty Food Plan, which reflects the cost of a healthy diet.
- In 2021, a USDA update increased benefit levels for the first time in decades.
- OBBBA now mandates future revisions must be “cost-neutral.”
- Translation: Even if food prices or nutrition science change, benefits cannot rise unless offset by other cuts.
“This freezes SNAP’s ability to reflect real-world food costs,” noted Dr. Catherine Nguyen, a USDA economist. “Over time, it will erode purchasing power and worsen food insecurity.”
2. Utility and Shelter Deductions (“Heat and Eat” Program)
Previously, households receiving energy assistance (LIHEAP) were automatically eligible for a Standard Utility Allowance (SUA), which raised their SNAP benefit.
Under the OBBBA:
- Only households with elderly or disabled members can continue using the SUA.
- All others must use actual utility costs, which are usually lower — resulting in smaller benefits.
Administrative and Fiscal Changes for States
The OBBBA also reshapes how SNAP is financed and managed, placing greater responsibility on states.
| Policy Area | Previous Standard | OBBBA 2025+ Change |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Cost Share | Federal government paid 50% of administrative costs | Reduced to 25% (states pay 75%) starting FY 2027 |
| State Penalty for Payment Errors | None (federal oversight only) | States must repay 10–15% of benefit costs if their Payment Error Rate exceeds 6% |
| SNAP-Ed (Nutrition Education) | Federally funded | Funding eliminated Oct 1, 2025 |
What This Means?
States will need to raise taxes, cut services, or reduce SNAP outreach to absorb these new costs. Rural states with higher SNAP participation are expected to face the greatest fiscal stress.
“This is a hidden unfunded mandate,” explained Pauline Brooks, fiscal analyst at the Brookings Institution. “It discourages states from supporting SNAP and could increase hunger through administrative backlogs.”
Other Eligibility and Policy Shifts
1. Non-Citizen Eligibility Restrictions
SNAP access is now limited to:
- Legal Permanent Residents (green card holders)
- Cuban and Haitian Entrants
- Residents under the Compacts of Free Association
- Refugees, asylum seekers, and other humanitarian migrants
2. Waiver Tightening
States can no longer waive the ABAWD work rule simply for “insufficient jobs.” Now, waivers apply only where the unemployment rate exceeds 10%, effectively eliminating flexibility for most counties nationwide.
Payment Processing Details
| Household Size | Maximum Monthly Benefit (48 States & D.C.) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $291 |
| 2 | $535 |
| 3 | $766 |
| 4 | $975 |
| 5 | $1,158 |
| 6 | $1,390 |
| 7 | $1,536 |
| 8 | $1,751 |
| Each Additional Person | +$220 |
Payment Dates: Most states issue benefits between October 1 and October 28, depending on case number and location.
Comparison: Pre-2025 vs. Post-OBBBA SNAP
| Feature | Before 2025 | After OBBBA 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| ABAWD Age Limit | 18–54 | 18–64 |
| Parent Exemption | Child under 18 | Child under 14 |
| Veteran, Homeless, Foster Youth Exemptions | Exempt | Removed |
| Federal Admin Cost Share | 50% | 25% by FY 2027 |
| TFP Adjustments | Allowed to increase with dietary data | Must remain cost-neutral |
| SNAP-Ed Funding | Federally funded | Eliminated |
| State Error Penalty | None | Repayment if error >6% |
Why These Changes Matter?
The OBBBA’s reforms reflect a major ideological shift in how the U.S. approaches food assistance — from supporting the poor to enforcing stricter compliance.
For low-income adults aged 55–64, newly classified as ABAWDs, losing benefits after three months could mean facing severe food insecurity. Families with older teens, veterans, and homeless individuals — groups already at risk — will likely feel the harshest effects.
“It’s a fundamental redefinition of who deserves help,” said Dr. Mark Levin, public policy researcher at Harvard. “The law assumes everyone can work 80 hours a month, ignoring medical, social, and structural barriers.”
Advocates predict increased demand at food banks and local pantries as SNAP rolls contract in the coming years.
FAQs
Q1. When will I receive SNAP benefits in October 2025?
Most states issue benefits between October 1 and October 28, depending on your case number. Check your state’s EBT schedule for exact dates.
Q2. How much is the maximum SNAP benefit in 2025?
The maximum monthly benefit ranges from $291 for one person to $1,751 for a household of eight.
Q3. How can I check my SNAP balance?
You can log in to your state SNAP portal, use your EBT card mobile app, or call the customer service number on the back of your card.
Q4. Who is now required to meet SNAP work requirements?
All able-bodied adults aged 18–64 without dependents under 14 must work, volunteer, or train for at least 80 hours per month to remain eligible.
Q5. Will SNAP Education (SNAP-Ed) still exist?
No. Federal funding for SNAP-Ed ends on October 1, 2025, eliminating free nutrition and health education programs.
Q6. Can my state waive work requirements?
Only if the unemployment rate exceeds 10%, a threshold very few areas meet.