Federal Order Fast-Tracks SNAP Work Requirements in New York, Cutting Off Thousands

Big changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, are coming to New York sooner than expected.

The work requirements were part of President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which expanded rules for food assistance eligibility. The new provisions require recipients to continually prove that they work, volunteer, or attend school for at least 20 hours a week. Those who don’t meet that threshold can only receive benefits for one month each year.

The rules were originally set to take effect in New York next March. But a recent federal order will now require the state to begin enforcing them in early November — just weeks away.

As New York Focus reports, the accelerated timeline could cut off food benefits for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers.

Republicans say the work requirements will help reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in SNAP — one of the country’s oldest safety net programs. Critics argue that the changes will unfairly penalize people who are ill, caring for family members, or retired. They also warn that eligible recipients could lose benefits because of paperwork errors and bureaucratic delays.

Officials in New York County told New York Focus they’re concerned about having enough staff to process and verify the new work requirements. Social services departments across the state say they’re already understaffed — and may need to double their workforce to meet the new demands, a cost that counties will have to cover.

Story by Amy Feiereisel/New York Public News Network

Image Credit: NYCFoodPolicy.org