A new law signed by President Trump on July 4, 2025, changes the food assistance program, SNAP. It expands work requirements for benefits to include people aged 18 to 64, such as veterans, those leaving foster care, homeless individuals, and parents of children aged 14 or older. They must work, volunteer, or participate in job training for at least 80 hours each month. Native Americans and those who cannot work for medical reasons are still exempt.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that around 2.4 million people nationwide may lose SNAP benefits each month because of these changes. The law also cuts federal nutrition spending by about $186 billion to $295 billion over the next decade. Additionally, about $92 billion in savings comes from expanded work requirements, while $128 billion stems from shifting more of the program’s cost to the states.
State-Level Impacts & Costs
Illinois (example):
Around 360,000 of the 1.9 million SNAP users in Illinois could lose eligibility under the new work rules. Starting in fiscal year 2027 (October 2026), the state will be responsible for 75% of administrative costs, up from 50%. Then, beginning fiscal year 2028 (October 2027), Illinois must cover 15% of SNAP benefit costs due to its 11% error rate—potentially adding $705 million to the state’s bill.
Kansas & Missouri:
These states, home to over 840,000 SNAP recipients, also face the expanded work requirements and increased cost burdens.
Texas:
In Texas, nearly 700,000 Texans might be affected, especially in communities like Houston’s Fifth Ward. Service reductions and tougher eligibility could hurt working-poor and minority neighborhoods hardest.
Other Hard-Hit States:
California, New York, and Florida are also expected to face serious challenges. California may see thousands of families lose SNAP, New York could lose rural hospitals due to reduced Medicaid support, and Florida faces higher administrative costs and work requirements.
Cost Projections
- Federal reductions: Between $186 billion (per AP) and $295 billion (CBO estimate) in SNAP spending cuts over 2025–2034.
- Work requirement savings: ~$92 billion.
- Shifting cost to states: ~$128 billion.
- The CBO estimates a federal SNAP spending cut of around $279 billion over 10 years, with states absorbing $121 billion of additional costs.
- The mismatched cost shift may lead some states to reduce or exit the SNAP program.
Nationally, the CBO also suggests that up to 4.7 million people could stop getting SNAP benefits on average each month under the bill, even more than the 2.4 million previously mentioned.
When the Work Requirements Begin
- The law was signed on July 4, 2025.
- Work requirements for SNAP start immediately or soon after, though timing can vary by state. Specific deadlines aren’t universally mandated but states are expected to begin changes in the 2026–2027 timeframe.
- Supportive edits note the work requirement applies to ages 18–64, whereas previous versions targeted 18–54.
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