SNAP Benefits Resume Amid New Work Requirements Post Shutdown

Wed Nov 19 2025 15:45:50 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

After a brief disruption due to a government shutdown, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has resumed its benefits distribution. However, upcoming changes will impose new work requirements on many participants.

Federal SNAP food assistance has resumed for approximately 42 million Americans following the recent government shutdown. As the program normalizes, new work requirements are set to challenge many participants, mandating them to work or participate in job training for at least 80 hours monthly. This change is part of a recent tax and spending bill and is expected to reduce the number of recipients significantly over the next decade.

After a disruptive U.S. government shutdown, federal SNAP food assistance is again flowing to low-income households. However, in the months ahead, many participants will have to abide by new work requirements.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides monthly benefits averaging around $190 per person to about 42 million nationwide. In early November, many recipients missed regular benefits due to disputes over funding during the shutdown.

Many states had to use their own funds or federal dollars to replenish electronic benefit cards, with mixed results. By November 12, however, all states had resumed loading benefits onto cards.

Benefits Available Nationwide After Initial Chaos

The chaotic situation of the early month stemmed from the federal government indicating SNAP would not be funded. Some states managed to partially or fully reload benefits, while others faced longer lines for food charities as shelves emptied.

Upcoming Work Requirements

New regulations stemming from a tax and spending bill signed in July by Trump expanded work obligations for many adult SNAP recipients. Starting December, participants must work, volunteer, or engage in job training for at least 80 hours monthly or risk losing benefits after three months within a three-year period.

This applies to adults aged 18-64 without dependents, as well as those aged 55-64, reversing previous exemptions for some groups.

Concerns Over Fraud

Following the shutdown, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins raised doubts about SNAP, citing issues like fraud and misuse of benefits. Rollins suggested requiring reapplications from current recipients, though this has led to confusion regarding existing recertification processes already in effect.

The standard mandatory recertification occurs every 12 months, although more frequent checks can occur at the state level. With new requirements and doubts cast by officials, the future of SNAP recipients may hold many challenges.