New SNAP Work Requirements Kick In for More States

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Starting February 1st, more states are implementing new work requirements for adults receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The changes, part of a 2026 tax and spending bill, will require many SNAP recipients to work, volunteer, or participate in job training for at least 80 hours per month or risk losing their benefits after 3 months.

Why it matters

These new SNAP work requirements are expected to reduce the average monthly number of recipients by about 2.4 million people over the next 10 years, impacting low-income households that rely on the food assistance program.

The details

The expanded work requirements apply to SNAP recipients ages 18-64 who are physically and mentally able to work, including those previously exempt such as adults ages 55-64 and parents without children under 14. Recipients must now document at least 80 hours per month of work, volunteering, or job training, or risk losing benefits after 3 months. Some states like California have temporary waivers, but most exemptions have ended or will soon.

• The new SNAP work requirements take effect on February 1, 2026.
• In some states like Texas, the requirements started in October 2025, meaning recipients could have already lost benefits after 3 months.
• Several other states including Alaska, Colorado, Georgia, and Hawaii began the 3-month clock in November 2025, so recipients could lose benefits in the coming days.
• Ohio and Illinois are among the states implementing the new rules on February 1, 2026, meaning recipients could lose benefits starting in May 2026.
• California has a waiver scheduled to be in place until January 2027, delaying implementation in the state.

What’s next

In states implementing the new rules on February 1, recipients will need to start documenting their work, volunteering, or job training activities by March in order to avoid losing benefits in May.