How SNAP is and isn't changing in 2025 and beyond
Key Takeaways
- The July Budget Reconciliation Bill (HR-1 or “OBBB”) has added challenges to applying for SNAP benefits for millions of Americans.
- SNAP is still here. mRelief's eligibility screener can help families find out if they are eligible under the new rules.
- mRelief and community organizations across the country will continue to connect people to SNAP and other food resources.
- You can take action to protect access to SNAP: Urge your representatives to repeal the cuts as an individual or organization.
The "Beautiful" Bill: Dramatic Changes Are Coming to SNAP and America's Safety Net
Introduction
On July 4, 2025, "The One Big Beautiful Bill" was signed into law, initiating dramatic changes to America's social safety net. These changes are expected to have far-reaching consequences for millions of Americans who rely on SNAP and other social services. mRelief has outlined the significant impacts of this new legislation, which is projected to reduce funding for SNAP by an estimated $186 billion due to policy changes.
Here's a breakdown of the key policy changes and their implications:
1. Expansion of ABAWD Work Requirements
The bill expands work requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs). The age range for these requirements has been extended from 18-54 to 18-64. Parents will now only be exempt if they have children under the age of 14, a change from the previous age of 18. Additionally, there will be stricter limitations on states' abilities to waive these requirements in areas of high unemployment.
- Impact on Applicants:
- This change will increase the number of ABAWD applicants who need to prove that they’re meeting “work requirements” for at least 80 hours a month. Work can include seeking employment, exchanging goods or services, unpaid work, or volunteering.
- Parents with children between 14 and 18 will now need to report to the state that they’re meeting work requirements in order to receive benefits.
- National Impact: An estimated 900,000 people aged 55-64 will be at risk of losing their SNAP benefits, and 270,000 veterans will also face this risk.
2. Prohibition on Increasing Thrifty Food Plan Funding
The new bill prohibits increasing funding for the Thrifty Food Plan. This means that benefit levels cannot be increased beyond their current cost, without accounting for inflation or a rise in the cost of food.
- Impact: SNAP recipients will likely see a reduction in their benefit amount year over year. This includes a projected $15 reduction in benefits for all SNAP recipients by 2034. Summer EBT and other hunger relief programs are also likely to see reductions in benefit amounts.
Note: Congresswoman Shontel Brown (D-OH-11) has introduced the “Hunger-Free Future Act of 2025” to challenge this specific proposed change. You can track its progress on the Food Research and Action Center website and see if your congressperson is cosponsoring it here!
3. Increased State Financial Responsibility for SNAP Administration
For the first time, states will be required to pay a portion of benefit costs based on penalties for payment error rates exceeding 6%. The bill also increases state responsibility for administrative costs, from 50% to 75%.
- Impact: 43 states currently have error rates above 6%. This could lead states to restrict eligibility further or reduce program funding to cut costs. Beginning in FFY28, states with payment error rates over 10% would contribute 15% of benefit amounts, while rates between 6-8% would incur a 5% contribution. States with error rates above 13.3% would not have to match funds until FFY 2029. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) expects states collectively to reduce or eliminate benefits for about 1.3 million people in an average month over the 2025-2034 period, and subsidies for child nutrition programs would decrease for about 420,000 children.
4. Reduced Eligibility for Non-Citizens
The legislation significantly reduces eligibility for non-citizens. Documented immigrants previously recognized as "qualified" for federal benefits, including refugees, asylees, and trafficking survivors, will no longer be eligible for SNAP. Only Lawful Permanent Residents, certain Cuban or Haitian entrants, or citizens of Compact of Free Association (COFA) nations will remain eligible.
- Impact: Anywhere from 120,000 to 250,000 people living lawfully in the US will no longer be eligible for SNAP (CBPP).
5. End of Time Limit Exceptions for Certain Groups
Work requirement and time limit exceptions added by the FRA in 2023 will be removed; to include homeless individuals, veterans, and foster youth ages 18-24. These groups will once again only be able to receive SNAP benefits for a maximum of three months in three years, unless they comply with work requirements or prove they qualify for an exemption.
- Impact: Approximately 270,000 individuals from these groups, who often face significant barriers to employment, could lose their SNAP benefits if the OBBB is signed into law. (CBPP)
6. Addition of Time Limit Exceptions for Indigenous Peoples
Native Americans are exempt from SNAP time limits if they meet the definition of an "Indian," "Urban Indian," or "California Indian" as outlined in the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA).
- Impact: Approximately one in four Native Americans face food insecurity, a rate is significantly higher than the U.S. average. By excluding Native Americans from these tightened work rules, the exemption protects tens of thousands of individuals from losing access to essential food benefits.
7. Elimination of SNAP-Ed Funding
Federal funding for SNAP-Ed will be eliminated. This program provided a vital lifeline for low-income families, offering education on how to shop for and prepare healthy meals on a budget.
- Impact: This cut will remove $500 million annually from state and community-based nutrition education, affecting nearly 100 state agencies, universities, and nonprofits that delivered SNAP-Ed programs nationwide.
Implementation Timeline
These policy changes will be implemented over several fiscal years:
- Start of Federal Fiscal Year 26 (October 1, 2025): Thrifty Food Plan Changes and Non-citizen Eligibility, end of SNAP-Ed programming
- Later in Federal Fiscal Year 26 (Late 2025 into 2026): Addition/Removal of Exceptions for Certain Groups, ABAWD Work Requirements (55-64)
- Federal Fiscal Year 27 (Starts October 1, 2026): SNAP Administrative Cost Sharing.
- Federal Fiscal Year 28 (Starts October 1, 2027): SNAP Matching Funds Requirement.
State-Level Impact and Risks
"SNAP isn’t just a line item — it’s a lifeline...These cuts would push more families into crisis, and cities will be left picking up the pieces."
— Texas City Controller Chris Hollins
Several states are particularly at risk due to high numbers of eligible but unserved populations or high error rates. For example:
- Texas: Over 1.6 million eligible Texans already miss benefits; any cost-cutting could push that higher.
- North Carolina: Roughly 1 in 3 eligible NC residents are unserved, and county budgets are tight.
- California: With a 10.98% error rate, if the state cannot reduce it quickly, counties could tighten reviews, risking 1.5M+ eligibles.
These comprehensive changes underscore a significant shift in the landscape of America's social safety net, impacting millions of individuals and placing greater financial burdens on states.
How are we responding to this moment?
During this time of rapid government change, mRelief remains dedicated to increasing access to the social safety net. In late July, after the HR-1 legislation passed, mRelief organized a town hall meeting attended by over 100 community-based organizations across the country, to share resources, guidance, collaboration and learning regarding the changes and upcoming challenges ahead.
Despite these changes to SNAP, mRelief partners continue to serve those in need and persevere in the belief that food is a human right. Now more than ever, we come together to make the process of applying for SNAP as accessible, simple, and understandable as possible, removing barriers such as confusion, digital exclusion, transportation, and time. We believe that by leveraging technology to lessen the multitude of extensive burdens in the SNAP program, we can simplify the process; not only for individuals applying, but for our partners helping people enroll, and for states administering the program.
With rising inflation and costs, access to SNAP benefits are becoming absolutely crucial for an increasing number of people and families. We pledge our work and commitment to connecting people to the food benefits that they deserve, and to make that as simple, seamless, and unburdensome as possible. Through supporting our partners in their work with technological advances to collaborating with state agencies in their needs for simplified SNAP systems, we are ready to face the challenges ahead and transform social services for the inherent dignity of all people.
Take Action
Urge your representatives to repeal these cuts to SNAP. It takes just one click and less than one minute with these links below! Use these letters from FRAC (Food Research & Action Center) as an individual or organization.
Remember, SNAP is still here. We will continue to support families, our partners, and states to make SNAP as accessible and attainable as possible.
