Residents who rely on food stamps to help cover their grocery bills each month may no longer qualify for the federal program due to stricter work requirements that rolled out in November.
Changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program tightened work restrictions for those who fall into the category of what SNAP considers “Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents.” That means individuals such as veterans, people experiencing temporary homelessness and young adults who aged out of the foster system will now have to meet work requirements even if they were previously exempt.
The cuts to federal food assistance outlined in H.R.1 — the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act — took effect Nov. 1, said Sue Berkowitz, the director of policy for SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center. President Donald Trump signed the sweeping tax and spending bill on July 4.
Previously, able-bodied recipients between ages 18 and 54 without children could only receive food stamps for three months during a three-year period if they did not work, volunteer or participate in a training training program at least 20 hours a week or 80 hours a month.
The federal bill now expands work requirements for adults up to age 65 and parents with children who are 14 or older, according to a memo signed by Ronald Ward, the SNAP acting associate administrator. No exemptions are included for veterans, homelessness or former foster youth.
Some adults can still qualify for the program without meeting the work requirements.
Work requirement exemptions now include people who are:
Changes to SNAP work requirements will impact SC recipients
