Big changes are coming to a federal program that has been helping low-income families pay for food for generations.
The changes could mean millions of Americans will no longer receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Starting Monday, June 1, the federal government will require certain people who receive SNAP benefits to show they are either working or volunteering for community services.
In D.C., more than 130,000 residents rely on SNAP benefits to feed their families. According to District officials, about 18,000 are at risk of losing those benefits as the Trump administration will begin enforcing work requirements Monday.
“We want to help people avoid losing benefits when that’s possible. And for that, there are three paths that we’re trying to create,” D.C. City Administrator Kevin Donahue said. “One is work requirements, so people work. That’s generally about 20 hours a week or 80 hours a month. One is work training. So they’re in a training program. Also, they have to do that about 80 hours a month or 20 hours a week. And the final one that’s very intriguing that other states have looked at is a volunteer program. You’re allowed to volunteer. The requirement for that is about eight hours a week. So it’s less than being in training or work.”
While the new requirements will affect millions of people across the country, most SNAP recipients will be exempt. Those covered by exemptions include:
- anyone under age 18, or age 65 or older
- residents with mental or physical health conditions, including pregnancy
- those who are already working 30 hours per week or already enrolled in school
- caregivers
While the requirements will take effect on June 1, recipients have three months to come into compliance, so nobody is in danger of losing benefits until sometime in September.
This isn’t the only big change for the millions of Americans who rely on assistance from the federal government; starting Jan. 1, 2027, Medicaid recipients will be held to similar work requirements. It’s estimated as many as 5 million Americans could lose their Medicaid coverage as a result.
