It feels like every time you open your phone lately, there's a new headline about the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA) or some executive order that’s going to flip the script on food stamps. If you’re worried and asking, is Trump getting rid of SNAP, the short answer is no—but the program you knew a couple of years ago is basically gone. It’s being overhauled in a way we haven't seen in decades.
Honestly, it’s a lot to keep track of. One day it’s a rumor about soda bans, the next it’s a massive change to who even qualifies for a bridge card. We aren't looking at a total "deletion" of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, but we are looking at a much tighter, more restricted version that’s focused on work, "nutrition integrity," and shifting costs back to the states.
The "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" and the New Reality
Back on July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the OBBBA into law. It wasn't just a holiday photo op; it was the start of a massive pivot for federal assistance. If you’ve heard people saying the program is being "cut," they’re usually referring to the roughly $10 to $15 billion in annual expenditure reductions the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) predicted would come from these changes.
The biggest thing for most folks is the expansion of work requirements. Before the OBBBA, "Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents" (ABAWDs) had to meet certain work or training quotas if they were between 18 and 54. Now? That age ceiling has been pushed all the way to 64.
This is a huge deal. Basically, if you’re 60 years old, don’t have a disability, and don’t have kids under 14 at home, you now have to prove you’re working, volunteering, or in a training program for at least 80 hours a month. If you don't? You’re limited to just three months of benefits in a three-year period. By May 1, 2026, we’re going to see the first major wave of people hitting that three-month limit and losing their benefits if they haven’t found a qualifying job or slot.
State Waivers: The Safety Net is Shrinking
For years, states could ask the federal government for "waivers" in areas where there just weren't enough jobs. If a county had 10% unemployment, the work requirements were paused.
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The Trump administration basically nuked those criteria. Now, the OBBBA makes it nearly impossible for most counties to get a waiver. Unless the unemployment rate in an area is over 10% (and even then, there are new hurdles), the work requirements stay on. In places like Illinois or Maryland, state officials are scrambling because the share of counties eligible for these "free passes" has dropped from nearly half to almost zero.
No More "Junk Food"? The Rise of Food Restriction Waivers
Another thing people are buzzing about is what you can actually put in your cart. For the longest time, SNAP was pretty "anything goes" as long as it wasn't hot food, alcohol, or tobacco. That’s changing fast in 2026.
The USDA has been green-lighting "SNAP Food Restriction Waivers" for states. This allows states to ban the purchase of "non-nutritious" items. It’s not a national ban yet, but a lot of states are jumping on board:
- Utah: Started its soft drink ban on January 1, 2026.
- Texas and Florida: Expecting restrictions on soda, candy, and sweetened drinks by April 2026.
- Missouri and Arkansas: Rolling out bans on "prepared desserts" and energy drinks later this summer.
If you’re a retailer, this is a nightmare. Grocery stores in these states now have to update their systems to block specific BIN (Bank Identification Number) codes on EBT cards for certain items. If you’re a shopper, you might find that your favorite Gatorade or bag of gummy bears suddenly triggers a "declined" message at the register.
The Cost Shift: Why Your State Might Be Frustrated
There is a quiet battle happening behind the scenes over who pays the bill. Historically, the feds paid 100% of the food benefits and split the paperwork costs 50/50 with the states.
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Under the new rules, the federal government is backing away. By October 2026, states will have to cover 75% of the administrative costs. Even more intense is the "Payment Error Rate" (PER) penalty. If a state makes too many mistakes—even honest ones like miscalculating a utility bill—they have to start paying for a portion of the food benefits themselves. Maryland, for instance, is looking at a potential $240 million bill if they can't get their error rate under 10% by 2027.
When states have to pay more, they often tighten the screws on eligibility just to save money. We’re already seeing this with new requirements to prove utility expenses. If you can’t show a physical bill, your benefit amount might get slashed.
Non-Citizen Eligibility: A Hard Line in the Sand
One of the most immediate changes from the 2025 law was the restriction on non-citizen access. It used to be that certain refugees and asylum seekers could get help while they got on their feet.
Starting in 2026, that door is mostly shut. Eligibility is now strictly limited to Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) who have been in the U.S. for at least five years. Refugees and those granted asylum are being removed from the rolls at their next recertification unless they’ve hit that five-year mark and have their permanent residency sorted.
Actionable Steps for SNAP Recipients
If you're currently on SNAP or help someone who is, don't wait for a letter in the mail that might come too late. Things are moving fast.
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1. Check Your "Clock": If you are between 55 and 64 and don't have kids under 14, your three-month clock likely started on January 1. You need to verify your work hours with your caseworker immediately to avoid a cutoff in May.
2. Update Your Utility Info: Many states are recalculating "Standard Utility Allowances." Make sure your latest electric or gas bill is on file so you don't get hit with a "shelter deduction" reduction.
3. Know Your Local Rules: Since so many changes are happening via state waivers, what's legal in Oklahoma might be banned in Colorado. Check your state's DHS website specifically for "Healthy SNAP" or "Nutrition Integrity" updates.
4. Volunteer If You Can’t Find Work: In most states, 20 hours a week of volunteering at an approved non-profit counts toward your 80-hour monthly requirement. It’s a way to keep your benefits while you're still hunting for a paycheck.
The program isn't going away, but it is becoming a lot harder to navigate. The days of "set it and forget it" SNAP benefits are over; 2026 is the year of the "active" participant.