SNAP benefits: Millions lose food assistance as new rules put more recipients at risk
Expanded work requirements affect more adults and parents of teenagers
Losing SNAP benefits means having less money to buy groceries. About 5.2 million fewer people received food assistance in June 2026 than in July 2025 , according to a Food Research & Action Center analysis of USDA data. The decline followed the passage of a federal law that tightened eligibility rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
For people still struggling to find work, losing assistance does not mean their financial problems have ended. Lori Covelli, an unemployed social worker in Wisconsin, told CBS News she lost her benefits while looking for a job. “It feels as though people are being punished,” she said.
Who faces SNAP’s work requirements, and how can you protect your benefits?
The law President Donald Trump signed on July 4, 2025, expanded SNAP’s additional work requirement to adults ages 18 through 64 . Parents whose youngest child is 14 through 17 may also be affected because having a teenager no longer provides the same exemption it previously did.
People subject to this rule generally must complete at least 80 hours a month of work, qualifying volunteer service, approved job training, or a combination of qualifying activities . Without meeting the requirement or qualifying for an exemption, they are generally limited to three months of SNAP benefits within a three-year period . Applying for jobs alone should not be assumed to satisfy the requirement; ask your state agency which activities count.
These requirements do not apply to everyone receiving SNAP. Exemptions include pregnancy, a physical or mental condition that prevents someone from working, and responsibility for a child younger than 14. Other exemptions may apply. If a health condition limits your ability to work, ask your SNAP office what documentation it needs to evaluate your case.
If you receive a notice reducing or ending your benefits, take these steps:
- Read the reason and deadline. Check whether the issue involves missing paperwork, renewal requirements, income, or proof of qualifying activities.
- Ask about exemptions. Explain any health limitations or caregiving responsibilities and ask what evidence the agency accepts.
- Confirm which activities count. Before starting volunteer work or a training program, ask how to document your hours.
- Request a fair hearing if you disagree. You have the right to challenge a decision about your case. Follow the notice’s appeal instructions promptly and keep copies of submitted documents.
Your state or local SNAP office handles your application and benefits , rather than USDA directly. Find its contact information through the USDA’s official state directory If your benefits have already ended, ask how to regain eligibility. Meeting the activity requirement again or establishing an exemption may allow you to qualify, provided you meet the program’s other eligibility rules.
Another change took effect on October 1, 2026: states must now cover 75% of SNAP’s administrative costs , up from 50%. That shifts more of the expense of running the program to state governments. It does not, by itself, automatically reduce the amount deposited on your EBT card.
If you need food immediately, ask whether you qualify for expedited SNAP processing . Eligible households can receive benefits within seven days of applying. You can also call the National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-348-6479 for English or 1-877-842-6273 for Spanish , Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time , for help finding nearby food resources while your case is being resolved.
