November Food Assistance Adjustments: Verify Your Eligibility StatusTrumpdictator #medicaid #USrecession #RichgetRicher #PoorgetPoorer #TrumpScam
https://thehill.com/homenews/5550044-snap-changes-heres-who-could-lose-benefits-in-november/
States are alerting SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) beneficiaries that their eligibility for nutritional aid may be altered as a critical November deadline looms for compliance with the Comprehensive Welfare Reform Act.
This sweeping legislation, enacted during the summer, restructures the SNAP framework, which serves over 42 million individuals. The reforms are anticipated to result in the exclusion of certain recipients from the program, as federal funding is projected to decrease by an estimated $185 billion over the next ten years. SNAP Benefit Adjustments Begin in October: Key Information Several key aspects of the act are slated for enforcement starting in November. Here’s an overview of the anticipated modifications. Stricter Work Mandates and Reduced Exemptions A significant alteration pertains to ABAWDs (Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents). Essentially, these adults must demonstrate at least 80 hours of monthly employment, enrollment in an educational program, or participation in a training initiative to maintain SNAP eligibility. Without such verification, benefits are limited to a maximum of three months.
Prior to the Comprehensive Welfare Reform Act, there were notable exceptions to this work requirement. Initially, it applied only to adults aged 18 to 54. Now, the mandate extends to all able-bodied adults under 65. Parents previously responsible for a dependent under 18 were also exempt from work requirements, but this exemption now applies only to those caring for a child under 14.
Moreover, veterans, homeless individuals, and young adults exiting foster care were previously exempt. Currently, all these groups must fulfill work requirements to receive benefits beyond three months. Conversely, a new exemption from work requirements has been introduced for "Indigenous Peoples, also recognized as Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Tribal Members" as defined by the legislation. Although these changes took effect immediately upon the law's enactment on July 4, the Food and Nutrition Service granted states a 120-day period to implement them. The deadline for full compliance is November 1, 2025.
What If Employment Opportunities Are Scarce? In regions where job availability is particularly limited, ABAWD work requirements may be waived. The Comprehensive Welfare Reform Act mandates that an area must have an unemployment rate exceeding 10% to qualify for such a waiver. Alaska and Hawaii have slightly different criteria.
Immigrant SNAP Eligibility The Comprehensive Welfare Reform Act modifies "non-citizen eligibility for SNAP," impacting certain legally residing groups.
According to a memo from Oregon’s Department of Human Services, refugees, asylum seekers, and survivors of human trafficking will all be affected and may lose benefits.
The Food and Nutrition Service has yet to release comprehensive details on the implementation of this provision but has indicated that "further guidance is forthcoming."
Additional Reforms on the Horizon Critics argue that other provisions of the Comprehensive Welfare Reform Act will lead to further reductions in who qualifies for food assistance and the extent of aid families receive. The law restricts how annual cost-of-living adjustments are computed, alters the calculation of utility expenses in determining household need, and discontinues funding for the SNAP Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program, which facilitated broader access to nutritious food. Another substantial aspect of the bill shifts a greater portion of SNAP administrative costs to states. Previously, costs were shared equally, but starting in the 2027 fiscal year, states will bear 75% of the responsibility.
For the first time, some states will also be required to contribute a portion of the food benefits starting in the 2028 fiscal year.
Under the new legislation, the federal government will fully fund SNAP benefits only for states with an error rate in payments to individuals below 6%. According to federal data, just seven states—Idaho, Nebraska, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Wyoming—met this criterion last year. Nationally, nearly 11% of SNAP payments contained errors last year.
Beginning in 2028, states with error rates exceeding 6% will be required to cover between 5% and 15% of SNAP benefit costs. States with higher error rates will generally face greater financial responsibility, but a Senate amendment postpones the cost-share implementation until as late as 2030 for states with the highest error rates.
As a consequence of this cost shift, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) anticipates that some states may reduce or terminate SNAP benefits for certain individuals.
