SNAP Changes Starting Nov 1
1. Most adults without dependents will need to prove they are working at least 80 hours a month or are in school to keep qualifying for SNAP. Without proof, they can only receive benefits for a maximum of three months.
Previously, the work requirement only applied to adults 18 to 54. Now, any able adults under 65 have to prove they are working to continue receiving benefits. Parents who were responsible for a child also used to be exempt, but now an exemption only applies to adults responsible for a dependent under the age of 14. Veterans, homeless individuals, and young adults transitioning out of foster care also all used to be exempt.
2. DC will have to pay for food benefits starting in FY28
The federal government will now force states to cover more of the cost of administering SNAP. The cost used to be shared 50-50, but now states will cover 75% starting in FY27. DC is also likely to reduce the number of people eligible for SNAP benefits because the federal government will only fully fund SNAP benefits in states that make mistakes in fewer than 6% of their payments to people. DC's error rate is almost 18%.