SNAP recipients will have to face new requirements to collect Food Stamps in the near future. Even though it was really hard to come to an agreement on the debt ceiling, the White House and the Republicans finally managed to work it out.
Republicans insisted on making it harder for those who can work to get SNAP benefits. While the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) stated that it would be more difficult for some to meet basic needs. As well as some Democrats who were of the same opinion.
CBPP believes that the expansion of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program work requirement is based on false assumptions. Thus, they ignore the reality of lack of paid sick leave, low-paying jobs, and how a disability could affect your life and financial situation.
What are the new work rules for those who want to collect SNAP?
The Fiscal Responsibility Act signed by President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy includes new work rules for people ages 18-55. That means there will be additional work requirements for senior citizens to get SNAP.
Colorado will receive $7.9 million to test out a new model for incentivizing fruit and vegetable purchases among participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Learn more https://t.co/q6DgxUKKts pic.twitter.com/Y1ebzjhHQY
— USDA Nutrition (@USDANutrition) June 29, 2023
However, there are three exceptions to this SNAP rule. To avoid this new work requirement, you must have veteran status. If not, it must be a homeless person. Or be under the age of 24 while you are aging out of foster care.
Adults without disabilities who are 54 or younger and do not have children have new rules for collecting food stamps
If you are an adult up to the age of 54 and do not have children, you must work. Or participate in a training program. In total, you must work or train for a minimum of 80 hours. Otherwise, you will not be eligible for SNAP benefits for more than 3 months in three years.
Therefore, if you want to receive SNAP benefits for an extended period of time, you must meet that work requirement. Currently, this rule is only for those adults who are up to 49 years of age.
In addition, there are also changes to the exemptions from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program work requirements. The agreement causes the US Department of Agriculture to report requests by states to waive labor requirements. As it is in some states where there are high unemployment rates.
Also, it will reduce the number of people a state can allow to have exemptions. It is reduced to 8% of the total number of SNAP recipients. It’s still 12%. So these measures could reduce the number of people who get Food Stamps and could face more food insecurity.