In a controversial move that will affect millions of low-income Americans, Donald Trump’s administration has enacted new legislation—the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA)—which includes major changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). As of November 1, 2025, SNAP eligibility requirements will be tightened, significantly reducing benefits for a large number of recipients. The new rules, particularly targeting Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs), will impose stricter work requirements and significantly alter the way the program operates. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has warned that these changes could lead to up to 2.4 million people losing their access to food assistance.
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Key Features / Overview
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by President Trump, brings about a series of critical changes to SNAP, designed to reduce dependency on federal assistance. The following changes have been outlined:
- Eligibility Restrictions: Only certain individuals will qualify for SNAP. Those who do not meet the eligibility criteria will face significant reductions or even total elimination of benefits.
- Work Requirements: As part of the new law, Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) will be required to work a minimum of 80 hours per month to receive benefits, either through paid employment or participation in job training programs.
- Increased Age Limit: The age restriction for eligible recipients will now rise to 65 years or older, excluding those under this age, unless they meet other specific criteria.
- State Financial Burden: Beginning in 2025, states will be responsible for covering up to 25% of SNAP costs, shifting part of the financial burden from the federal government to individual states.
Eligibility Rules
The changes to SNAP eligibility, particularly for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs), represent a significant tightening of the previous criteria. Here’s a breakdown of the new rules:
New SNAP Eligibility Requirements:
- Age: Applicants must be 65 years or older (previously the limit was 59).
- Dependents: Applicants must be parents or guardians of a child under 14 years old (previously this age limit was 18).
- Health: Applicants who are pregnant or physically or mentally unable to work may still qualify.
- Native Communities: There are exceptions for Native communities under OBBA.
- Work Requirements: Those who do not meet the above criteria must work at least 80 hours per month, either through paid employment or participation in government-sponsored job training programs such as SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) or state and local initiatives.
These stricter criteria could leave millions of people without access to essential food assistance, and for those who remain eligible, monthly benefit amounts could be reduced by as much as $231, according to recent studies by the Urban Institute.
Benefits of the Program
While the primary goal of the OBBA is to reduce federal spending and dependence on government aid, the benefits of the program are being heavily debated. On one hand, the program could save taxpayers money, as $309 billion is projected to be saved in the next decade. On the other hand, the social costs—with millions of low-income Americans losing access to food assistance—are significant.
Here’s a look at how the changes could impact recipients:
| Category | New Benefit Amounts | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Current SNAP Recipients | Up to $231/month loss | Many will lose significant monthly support, leading to increased food insecurity. |
| Families with Children | Reduction of benefits | Families could struggle to make up the gap, especially with rising food prices. |
| Individuals Under 65 | Likely ineligible unless meeting criteria | Tens of thousands may lose benefits entirely. |
| State Budgets | 25% cost shift to states | States like Oregon may face significant budget cuts as they absorb the new burden. |
Payment/Processing Details
The transition to the new SNAP rules means that payments may be delayed or reduced depending on the state. Here’s how the new system is expected to impact beneficiaries:
| Program | Impact of New Rules | Potential Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| SNAP Benefits | Eligibility restrictions tightened | Millions could lose benefits starting November 1, 2025. |
| Work Requirement | 80-hour per month work requirement | Non-compliance may lead to ineligibility for millions. |
| States | Required to cover 25% of SNAP costs | States will be forced to adjust budgets, with states like Oregon expecting a high loss of recipients. |
Comparison/Extra Insights
This is not the first time that SNAP eligibility has been modified, but the OBBA represents a more drastic shift. The following comparisons provide insight into the severity of the new changes.
Comparison to Past Changes in SNAP Eligibility:
| Year | Key Changes | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Work requirements for ABAWDs were introduced | Reduced eligibility for able-bodied adults. |
| 2025 (OBBA) | Increase in age limit, stricter work requirements, and a 25% state funding burden | The largest cut in SNAP history, leaving millions in need without support. |
| 2023 | Temporary pandemic-related changes to SNAP | Benefits were temporarily expanded due to COVID-19. |
As shown, this OBBA measure goes much further than previous iterations in restricting eligibility and shifting costs to states.
Recent Updates
As of October 2025, the USDA has sent out notifications to states to begin enforcing the new eligibility guidelines. Many states, such as Oregon, are already preparing for the financial strain caused by the 25% funding shift, while others are grappling with how to manage the reduction in SNAP recipients.
The Trump administration continues to assert that the OBBA is necessary to reduce dependency and to balance the federal budget. However, opposition from Democratic lawmakers and advocacy groups continues, arguing that the cuts will leave millions of vulnerable Americans in a dire situation.
Why It Matters?
The new SNAP restrictions will have far-reaching consequences for millions of Americans, particularly low-income families who rely on this assistance for basic needs. While the government aims to reduce dependency, it’s important to consider the human cost of these changes. With food insecurity already a growing issue, these cuts will likely exacerbate the problem, leaving people without access to the food they need.
FAQs
Q1. How many people could lose their SNAP benefits under the new rules?
Ans. Around 2.4 million people are at risk of losing their SNAP benefits due to stricter eligibility requirements.
Q2. What is the new work requirement for SNAP recipients?
Ans. Recipients will need to work at least 80 hours per month to remain eligible for benefits, unless they meet specific exemptions.
Q3. What changes are being made to SSI eligibility?
Ans. The new rules will primarily affect low-income families who rely on Supplemental Security Income (SSI), with changes in SNAP eligibility that could also impact their access to SSI.
Q4. How will states be affected by the new law?
Ans. Starting in 2025, states will be required to cover up to 25% of the costs of SNAP, which could lead to significant budgetary challenges for states like Oregon.
Q5. When do the new changes to SNAP eligibility go into effect?
Ans. The new SNAP rules will go into effect on November 1, 2025.