Thousands Lose SNAP Benefits After Work Requirement Change

Around 45,000 Nevadans no longer qualify for food assistance program due to new federal rules.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Roughly 50,000 Americans have lost their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits after federal work requirements changed in December. In Nevada, about 45,000 residents aged 18-64 who are classified as able-bodied adults without dependents will no longer qualify for SNAP this spring due to the new rules requiring them to work at least 20 hours per week or participate in job searching, training or volunteer activities.

Why it matters

SNAP benefits help low-income Americans afford food at their local grocery stores. Losing these benefits could lead to increased food insecurity, though the government has adopted more stringent work requirements to reduce waste and fraud within the program.

The details

The new SNAP eligibility rules, pushed through by the Trump administration, affect those aged 18 to 64 who are physically and mentally able to work and do not have children under 14 in their household. The changes also impact veterans, youth who aged out of foster care, and those experiencing homelessness, who were previously exempt from the work requirements.

  • The new SNAP work requirements went into effect on December 1, 2025.
  • In mid-February 2026, follow-up notices were sent to Nevadans who still did not qualify under the new eligibility rules.

The players

Nevada Division of Social Services

The state agency that administers SNAP benefits in Nevada and has been working with community partners to help those impacted by the eligibility changes.

Kelly Cantrelle

Deputy Administrator of the Nevada Division of Social Services.

Michael Ryan

A finance expert and the founder of MichaelRyanMoney.com, who says the SNAP changes "punish the most vulnerable" and that the elderly, veterans, and homeless are "caught in both traps at once."

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What they’re saying

“The unintended consequence here is that more people may fall through the cracks. Over time, that likely means fewer people qualifying for benefits, longer periods without support, and in some cases, increased interaction with the legal system.”

— Kevin Thompson, CEO of 9i Capital Group and host of the 9innings podcast (Newsweek)

“The problem, as is often the case when rules change, is many recipients may be unaware of these alterations and could find themselves disqualified from benefits if they're not meeting the new requirements. For SNAP recipients, now is the time to make sure you're meeting these requirements. With inflationary pressures weighing heavily on many households, losing those benefits could be a devastating blow.”

— Alex Beene, Financial literacy instructor, University of Tennessee at Martin (Newsweek)

“SNAP is becoming a system that punishes the most vulnerable for both receiving too much by accident and for not proving they deserve what they get. The elderly, veterans, and homeless are caught in both traps at once.”

— Michael Ryan, Finance expert and founder of MichaelRyanMoney.com (Newsweek)

What’s next

After using three months of SNAP without meeting work requirements, able-bodied adults without dependents will lose eligibility. Benefits can only be restored if the individual works or participates in approved activities for at least 80 hours within a 30-day period, or later qualifies for an exemption.

The takeaway

The SNAP eligibility changes highlight the challenges facing low-income Americans, particularly the elderly, veterans, and homeless, in maintaining access to food assistance programs. As inflationary pressures continue, the loss of these critical benefits could have devastating impacts on vulnerable populations.