Big changes are coming to SNAP food stamps for adults without young children. The federal government just announced new rules that will force millions of people to meet strict work requirements or lose their benefits. These changes are part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that President Trump signed on July 4, 2025.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) just announced a big change that will impact millions of SNAP recipients. On October 3, 2025, the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service released new guidance that takes away most state power to waive work rules for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs). These changes come from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (OBBB), signed by President Trump on July 4, 2025.
Under this new law, adults between 18 and 64 who don’t live with children must now work at least 80 hours a month or join a training program to keep getting SNAP benefits. If they don’t meet the rule, their food help will end after just three months in any three-year period.
The biggest change is the new 10% unemployment rule. Before, states could ask for a waiver if they showed a “lack of jobs” or unemployment above 10%. Now, only areas with unemployment higher than 10% can get waivers — and right now, no U.S. state meets that number.
Here’s the problem: no state in America currently has unemployment above 10 percent. The highest rates right now are Washington D.C. at 6.0%, California at 5.5%, Nevada at 5.3%, and Michigan at 5.2%. Even these states with the highest unemployment don’t come close to the new 10% requirement.
This means nearly all waivers will disappear, and people in almost every part of the country will have to meet work rules again.
The law also removed the old job shortage rule. That rule used to help states where jobs were hard to find even if unemployment wasn’t sky-high. Now that option is gone, making it almost impossible for states to protect workers in tough job markets.
Only Alaska and Hawaii got special rules. They can ask for waivers if local unemployment is 150% above the national average, and they can apply for short-term “good faith exemptions” if they prove they’re trying to follow the law but face big challenges.
The USDA said the new law started immediately on July 4, 2025. On October 3, they told states they must end all current waivers within 30 days—by November 2, 2025. That means states now have just weeks to:
- Update their systems
- Train workers
- Notify families losing waiver protection
Many groups say this is too fast. The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) said on October 4, 2025, that the timeline is unfair and could lead to big mistakes. FRAC is also leading efforts to repeal SNAP cuts through the Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act of 2025.
As of early 2025, 27 states had active waivers. Seven had statewide waivers, including California, Illinois, Nevada, New York, and D.C.. All of those will now be gone. States must start enforcing the three-month time limit unless people meet work or training rules.
For example:
- If you work 80 hours a month — you can keep your SNAP.
- If you don’t, your benefits will stop after three months.
- You can get SNAP back only after working or training for 30 days again.
The USDA says these new rules will “encourage work and independence.” But critics argue they will cause hunger, hardship, and confusion for low-income adults who already struggle to find steady jobs.
The rule change also adds pressure to states, because there’s no 120-day grace period for errors in SNAP reporting. States must get everything right, right away, or risk penalties.
It also comes as SNAP benefits are frozen until 2027, meaning families won’t see any cost-of-living increase. You can read more about that here: SNAP Benefits Frozen Until 2027.
Meanwhile, other programs are also under strain. A possible government shutdown has threatened WIC benefits for moms and kids, which could make things even harder for low-income families. Learn more here: Government Shutdown Threatens WIC Benefits.
And in another policy update, some states are pushing for a SNAP Junk Food Ban in 2026 — showing how fast the landscape for food aid is changing.
In the end, this new rule means hundreds of thousands of Americans will soon lose their SNAP food help unless they can find steady work. Many experts say this move will hit low-wage workers, rural communities, and people with unstable jobs the hardest.
For those affected, advocates urge checking your local SNAP Employment & Training programs right away to stay eligible — and staying updated as states rush to follow this new federal rule.
