This November, one of the most significant overhauls of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in decades will begin rolling out across the United States. While framed by lawmakers as a move toward greater accountability and fiscal responsibility, the reforms—enacted under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—are sparking intense debate over their potential impact on millions of low-income Americans who rely on food assistance to survive.
According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the changes will reduce federal SNAP spending by an estimated $187 billion over the next ten years, reshaping eligibility, work requirements, immigrant access, and state responsibilities in ways that could leave 2.4 million fewer people receiving benefits each month by 2034.
Expanded Work Requirements
One of the most consequential changes involves the expansion of work rules. Previously, adults aged 18 to 54 without dependents were required to work at least 80 hours per month to receive SNAP benefits beyond three months in a 36-month period.
