It began quietly — with a brief announcement buried deep in a federal report, almost easy to overlook.
But behind the bland bureaucratic language, something far bigger was in motion. As November approaches, whispers have started spreading about a massive overhaul to the nation’s food assistance program — one that could change how millions of Americans put food on their tables. Lawmakers insist it’s about accountability and fairness, yet critics are asking a far more unsettling question: is this really reform, or the start of a quiet retreat from the nation’s commitment to feeding its most vulnerable?
Major Updates to the SNAP Food Assistance Program to Take Effect in November
Starting this November, federal authorities will begin enforcing sweeping reforms to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), more commonly known as the food stamp program. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), these adjustments will result in an estimated $187 billion reduction in federal SNAP funding over the next decade, through 2034. The program, which helps low-income Americans afford groceries, is about to undergo some of its most significant structural changes in years.
Revised Work Requirements
Under the new legislation known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, eligibility rules for SNAP recipients are being tightened.
Previously, adults aged 18 to 54 were required to work at least 80 hours per month to continue receiving food assistance for more than three months within a three-year period. That same rule will now apply to adults up to age 65, significantly expanding the pool of individuals subject to work requirements.
However, some exceptions remain. Those who are physically or mentally unable to work will continue to be exempt, as confirmed by federal officials.
One of the most notable adjustments affects parents of dependent children. In the past, parents with any minor children were exempt from the work requirement. Under the new law, only parents or guardians with dependents aged 13 or younger will remain exempt.
Additionally, the legislation removes previous exemptions for certain vulnerable groups, including homeless individuals, veterans, and former foster youth aged 24 or younger.
States may still request waivers from the work requirement if a specific region has an unemployment rate of 10 percent or higher. Special provisions also grant Alaska and Hawaii automatic eligibility for such waivers if their unemployment rates reach 150 percent of the national average.
According to CBO estimates, these updates could lead to an average of 2.4 million fewer people receiving food assistance each month between now and 2034. However, the inclusion of new exemptions for Native American tribal members may slightly offset this decline. Currently, about 41 million Americans rely on SNAP each month.
Although the legislation officially took effect on July 4, states were given 120 days to implement the new guidelines.
Eligibility Changes for Immigrants
The reforms also tighten eligibility rules for immigrants under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, which governs SNAP.
Previously, individuals could qualify for food assistance if they were U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents. Certain long-term immigrants, such as those who entered the U.S. before June 30, 1948, individuals allowed entry through federal parole, or immigrants granted deferred deportation status, were also eligible.
The One Big Beautiful Bill has now eliminated these exceptions, restricting eligibility primarily to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs), with only a few narrow exceptions remaining.
According to the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), this change will effectively disqualify many undocumented and humanitarian-status immigrants who previously received benefits due to their residency or special status.
The White House has defended the policy, stating:
“Illegal immigrants cost taxpayers billions in free healthcare and welfare. The One Big Beautiful Bill ends SNAP and Medicaid fraud, ensuring these programs serve only eligible Americans.”
The CBO estimates that this update will make approximately 90,000 individuals ineligible for SNAP benefits each month.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed that additional instructions regarding these changes are forthcoming, noting on its website:
“This update modifies non-citizen eligibility for SNAP. Further guidance will be issued.”
Updates to the Thrifty Food Plan
A separate adjustment, effective October 1, involves revising the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) — the government’s model for estimating the cost of a healthy diet and setting maximum SNAP benefit levels.
The TFP measures food costs for a family of four (two adults aged 20–50 and two children aged 6–11) to determine benefit thresholds. The USDA last updated this plan in 2021.
Under the new legislation, the next review will take place no earlier than October 1, 2027, and all future updates must be cost-neutral. This means that future revisions cannot increase overall benefit spending.
Additionally, annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) will now be capped at varying percentages depending on household size. The bill also mandates that the same TFP cost framework apply universally to all households, regardless of size.
Meanwhile, the USDA has implemented standard COLA increases for 2025. For example, the maximum monthly benefit for a five-person household in most states rose from $1,158 to $1,183.
Administrative and Financial Adjustments
The One Big Beautiful Bill also redefines how SNAP administrative costs are shared between the federal government and states.
Currently, the federal government reimburses 50 percent of the administrative costs. Beginning in fiscal year 2027 (starting October 1, 2026), that reimbursement will drop to 25 percent, placing a larger burden on state budgets.
The law further introduces a financial penalty system: states will be required to contribute additional funds if their payment error rate exceeds 6 percent. These errors include both overpayments and underpayments, as well as improper enrollment of ineligible individuals.
According to federal statistics, only nine states maintained an error rate below 6 percent in fiscal year 2024, while nearly all states exceeded that threshold at some point between 2003 and 2024.
In Florida, for example, state officials estimate that the reduction in federal cost-sharing could cost the state roughly $50.6 million annually. The new penalty for excessive payment errors could raise that figure to nearly $1 billion per year if not corrected.
Bridget Royster, Assistant Secretary for the Florida Department of Children and Families, told a state legislative committee earlier this month that the department is working to lower its error rate to avoid these new financial burdens.
The November implementation of these SNAP reforms marks a major turning point in the nation’s food assistance policy. By expanding work requirements, restricting immigrant eligibility, and cutting administrative reimbursements, the government aims to reduce costs and tighten oversight. However, the impact will be felt most by millions of Americans who depend on food assistance to survive — as states scramble to adapt, and communities brace for the ripple effects of one of the most comprehensive overhauls in SNAP’s history.
Conclusion
The upcoming reforms to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) represent one of the most sweeping transformations to America’s food assistance system in recent decades. While officials argue that these changes are designed to strengthen accountability, reduce fraud, and ensure that benefits reach only eligible citizens, critics warn that the real impact will be felt most by working families, veterans, and vulnerable individuals already struggling to afford basic necessities.
By expanding work requirements, limiting eligibility for certain immigrant groups, and shifting administrative costs to states, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act marks a decisive shift in how the federal government approaches poverty assistance. Supporters view it as a necessary correction to decades of leniency and inefficiency, while opponents fear it could deepen food insecurity for millions.
Ultimately, the success of these reforms will depend on how effectively states implement them and whether the government can strike a balance between fiscal responsibility and compassion. As the nation watches these changes unfold in November, one question remains at the center of the debate — will the new SNAP policies truly build a more efficient system, or will they widen the gap between those who have enough to eat and those still fighting hunger every day?