The federal law known as the «One Big Beautiful Bill», signed by President Trump on July 4, 2025, introduced the most sweeping changes to the SNAP program in its more than eight decades of existence. One of the most impactful is the expansion of work requirements for continuing to receive food assistance benefits. If you are between 55 and 64 years old and receive SNAP, this rule affects you directly.
Until now, the obligation to work in order to keep benefits only applied to adults up to age 55 without dependents. Under the new law, that ceiling rises to age 64, bringing in a group that previously had more protections and must now demonstrate work activity to avoid losing their food assistance.
How many hours are required and what counts as work
The rule requires adults between the ages of 18 and 64 without dependents to complete at least 80 hours of work activity per month to maintain their benefits. That works out to roughly 20 hours per week. The hours do not have to be paid employment: volunteering, active job searching, and participation in state-approved job training or education programs all count toward the requirement.
Those who do not meet the requirement can continue receiving benefits for a maximum of three months within any three-year period. After that, they will lose access to the program until they can demonstrate compliance with the required hours again.
Who is exempt
The law maintains exemptions for several groups. Excluded from this obligation are adults over 65, people with a recognized physical or mental disability that prevents them from working, pregnant women, those enrolled at least part-time in an educational or training program, and caregivers of children under 14 or of persons with disabilities.
However, the new law removes exemptions that previously protected other groups. Going forward, veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and young adults between 18 and 24 who aged out of the foster care system are no longer automatically exempt and must also meet the work hour requirements.
The most vulnerable group: adults aged 55 to 64
Food advocacy organizations have raised particular concern about the impact on adults between 55 and 64 years old. This group frequently faces age discrimination in the labor market, health issues that make physical work difficult, and greater challenges finding stable employment. Organizations such as the Houston Food Bank and United Way of Greater Houston estimate the changes could affect more than 60,000 older adults nationwide within this age range.
In Maryland, for example, the Department of Human Services issued an urgent alert warning that up to 80,000 state residents could lose their benefits during recertification processes if they fail to demonstrate compliance with the new requirements.
When it takes effect and how to know if it applies to you
The changes do not hit all recipients at the same time. Implementation is staggered and tied to each person’s individual recertification date. This means the impact will be felt gradually throughout 2026 as recipients go through their regular renewal process.
If you receive SNAP and are unsure whether this rule applies to you, the most important step is to contact your state’s SNAP agency before your next recertification date to find out exactly what you will need to demonstrate and what options are available to you. Do not wait for the letter to arrive: acting early could make the difference between keeping or losing your benefits.