New SNAP work requirements begin rolling out across U.S.

More states are moving to ban SNAP recipients from buying certain foods. It’s a move that comes amid a flurry of changes coming to food assistance, including expanded work requirements. Now, even more recipients — including people aged 55 to 64 and those experiencing homelessness — will have to prove they meet them.

“People need to find the time to sit down to a computer, which they may or may not have access to. They need to log into the system, they need to provide the correct paperwork,” said Karen Ehrens, U.S. policy manager at the Alliance to End Hunger.

Eligibility criteria for SNAP have fluctuated over the years, according to Christopher Bosso, a professor of public policy and political science at Northeastern University.

But this time it doesn’t stop there, he said. “There are changes in the program that, if fully implemented, will result probably in the biggest percentage-wise cut in SNAP benefits.”

States will have to shoulder even more of the costs of running the program. And, over the next few years, the more errors a state makes in administering SNAP, the more money they’ll be on the hook for.

States will try to make sure they aren’t overpaying benefits, which means “people who are eligible and need the assistance are faced with more barriers and a longer wait to get on the program,” said Joseph Llobrera, director of research for the food assistance team at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

For the USDA’s part, a spokesperson said it is “committed to preserving the integrity of our programs and respecting the generosity of American taxpayers.”