The short answer is no, the program isn't vanishing, but honestly, it’s undergoing the biggest facelift we’ve seen in decades. If you've been scrolling through social media lately, you've probably seen the panic. Headlines scream that is trump taking away foodstamps entirely, while other sources claim nothing has changed. The reality is somewhere in the middle—and it’s a bit complicated.
Basically, the administration isn't "deleting" the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), but they are fundamentally rewriting the rules of who gets it and what they can buy with it.
If you are currently receiving benefits, your EBT card will likely still work tomorrow. However, depending on where you live, your age, or your immigration status, you might find yourself losing eligibility or seeing a smaller balance by the time your next recertification rolls around. It’s a lot to keep track of, especially with the "One Big Beautiful Bill" (OBBB) signed back in July 2025 now fully hitting the gears of state bureaucracies.
The Age Gap: Who's Newly Subject to Work Requirements?
For a long time, if you were over 54, you were generally in the "safe zone" regarding mandatory work hours. That has officially changed. One of the most significant parts of the new legislation expands the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) rules.
Previously, the age cap was 54. Now? It’s 64.
This means if you're 60 years old and don't have a disability or children 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. It’s a massive shift. Think about a 62-year-old who just lost a long-term job; they are now facing the same strict "work-for-food" requirements as a 25-year-old.
And it’s not just the age. The "caregiver" exemption got a haircut too. Used to be you were exempt if you had a kid under 18. Now, that age has been lowered to 14. If your youngest is 15, the government basically expects you to be back in the workforce full-time to keep those food stamps coming.
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The "Nutrition" Pivot: Say Goodbye to Soda and Candy?
This is where things get really local. The Trump administration, led by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and influenced by the "Make America Healthy Again" movement, has started approving SNAP Food Restriction Waivers.
Kinda sounds technical, right? It just means states can now ban "non-nutritious" items.
As of early 2026, about 18 states have already jumped on this. In places like Iowa, Utah, and Indiana, you can no longer use your EBT card to buy soda or candy. Florida and Texas aren't far behind, with their own bans on energy drinks and "prepared desserts" rolling out this spring.
"We are restoring SNAP to its true purpose – nutrition," Secretary Rollins recently noted.
The logic is that taxpayer money shouldn't fund chronic illness. But for the person at the checkout line, it means more "card declined" moments for items that used to be perfectly fine. It's a logistical nightmare for grocery stores, too, who have to update their software to recognize what counts as a "sweetened beverage" versus a "fruit juice."
Immigration and the Five-Year Rule
If you’re a non-citizen, the ground has shifted significantly. Historically, refugees and asylees had a bit of a smoother path to food assistance because of their status. That's largely over.
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Under the new 2026 rules, SNAP is being strictly limited to:
- U.S. Citizens and Nationals
- Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) who have been here at least 5 years
- Certain specific groups like Cuban/Haitian entrants
If you are an asylee who hasn't hit that five-year mark or gotten a Green Card yet, you’ve likely already received a notice that your benefits are being terminated. The administration argues this "citizens-first" approach ensures resources aren't overextended, but it’s left a lot of legal residents scrambling.
The State vs. Federal Showdown
There’s a weird game of chicken happening between the USDA and "blue" states. You might have heard about the administration threatening to withhold funds from states that don't hand over recipient data—specifically names and immigration status.
States like Oregon and Maryland are pushing back, citing privacy laws. But there’s a financial "poison pill" in the new law that makes it hard for states to resist. Starting in late 2026, the federal government is slashing its share of the administrative costs.
Usually, the feds split the bill 50/50 with states to run the program. That’s moving to a 75% state / 25% federal split.
On top of that, if a state makes too many mistakes (what they call a "Payment Error Rate" over 6%), the state has to pay for the actual food benefits out of their own pocket. This is unprecedented. For the first time, states like Pennsylvania or New York might have to cough up millions of their own budget dollars just to keep the program running.
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Why Some Waivers Are Disappearing
For years, if you lived in a county with high unemployment, the state could get a "waiver" so you didn't have to meet those 80-hour work requirements. It made sense—if there are no jobs, why punish someone for not working?
Well, those waivers are almost gone.
The new law says you can only get a waiver if the unemployment rate is over 10%. In 2026, very few places in America hit that number. So, even if you live in a rural town where the main factory closed, you’re still expected to find 20 hours of work a week to keep your food stamps.
What Should You Do Now?
If you're worried about is trump taking away foodstamps from your household, don't wait for the card to stop working.
- Check your "Recertification" date. Most of these changes hit when you have to renew your paperwork.
- Document everything. If you are volunteering, get a signed letter. If you have a medical condition that prevents work, get a doctor's note now. The "mentally or physically unfit for work" exemption is still there, but the paperwork is being scrutinized way more than it used to be.
- Update your address. States are sending out "Request for Information" (RFI) letters. If you don't answer them because they went to an old apartment, your case will close automatically.
- Learn your state’s "No-Buy" list. If you live in one of the 18 states with nutrition waivers, check the local DHS website. You don't want to be the person holding up the line at Kroger because your ginger ale isn't "nutritious" enough.
The program isn't gone. It's just becoming a much narrower gate to walk through. Stay on top of your paperwork, or you might find yourself on the outside looking in.