What are the new SNAP requirements? Dates, eligibility, deadlines and terms
Changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will go into effect later this week. The plan sees some adjustments in work requirements.
President Joe Biden signed the Fiscal Responsibility Act into law in June, and one of the most salient points of the measure was the change in work requirements for some recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
The modifications begin on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2023, although the new policies will be implemented gradually. The US Department of Agriculture will be leading the program.
As the program currently stands, there are already work requirements in place for most able-bodied adults without dependents, or ABAWD, from the ages of 18 to 49.
These recipients must either be earning wages equivalent to 30 hours per week, looking for a job, or signed up for a SNAP employment training program for at least 80 hours a month.
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What are the new SNAP work requirements?
The new guidelines would roll out higher age limits for ABAWD over the next few years, lifting the maximum age to 54 by the year 2025. However, this maximum age will again be brought down to 49 in 2030.
The changes will be implemented as follows:
- The range of the age of persons to be included among ABAWD will increase to 50 years and will go into effect on Sept. 1, 2023.
- Effective October 1, 2023, the age requirement for persons included among ABAWD will increase to 52 years.
- Effective October 1, 2024, the age range for persons subject to AVAWD will increase to 54.
Other sectors exempted from SNAP work requirements
In the face of these additional stipulations, President Biden was able to secure waivers for veterans, homeless people, and young adults exiting foster care from work requirements. This relief would also expire in 2030.
Some states can issue exemptions to the work regulations depending on their discretion, taking into account factors such as unemployment statistics among others.
SNAP beneficiaries who fall within the age range who are not able to comply with the work requirements nor secure an exemption, are only eligible to receive aid for three months over a three-year period.