For millions of American families who rely on food assistance to stretch their grocery budgets, big changes are on the way — and many may feel the impact sooner than expected. Starting this November, new rules will begin rolling out under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, altering who qualifies for SNAP and how benefits are distributed. With grocery prices still high and household costs rising nationwide, the timing has many worried. Lawmakers describe the overhaul as a move toward accountability and self-sufficiency, while advocates warn that vulnerable families could face greater risk of food insecurity.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, the program will see $187 billion in funding reductions between now and 2034 — the largest shift to food assistance rules in decades. Key updates include stricter work requirements, eligibility restrictions, and a shift in administrative costs from the federal government to states. One of the most significant changes expands the work requirement age from 18–54 up to 64, meaning older adults who once qualified without work hours will now need at least 80 hours per month to maintain long-term benefits. Some exemptions remain for medical limitations, but several protections for groups like homeless individuals, veterans, and those who aged out of foster care have been removed.
Other parts of the reform reshape who can access benefits at all. The law narrows eligibility for immigrants, restricting SNAP primarily to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. It also freezes increases to the Thrifty Food Plan — the formula used to determine benefit levels — until 2027 and requires future updates to remain cost-neutral, limiting the ability of benefits to rise with food prices. Meanwhile, states will gradually be required to cover a larger share of operating costs, a change that could strain budgets in high-population regions and lead to tighter state-level policies.
Supporters say these changes promote work participation and help reduce improper payments. Critics argue the opposite — that expanding requirements in a challenging job market and narrowing access could leave millions struggling. With roughly 41 million Americans currently using SNAP each month, state agencies now face a race to update systems and notify households. As the new rules begin in November, families, social workers, and policymakers will be watching closely to see how far the nation’s food safety net can stretch — and who might fall through the cracks.
