EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, is undergoing significant rule changes, raising concerns among many El Paso residents about the potential impact on families.
Under the One Big Beautiful Bill, which passed this summer, able-bodied adults aged 55 to 64, who were previously exempt, may now be required to document 80 hours a month of work, volunteering, or job training.
Failure to meet these requirements could limit them to just three months of benefits within three years.
Additionally, parents with children aged 14 or older and several groups, including veterans and former foster youth, may no longer be automatically exempt from these requirements.
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Allison, an El Paso resident, expressed concern, saying, “It’s a very tricky situation, but in the end a lot of people need these benefits to provide for not just them but also their families.”
Another resident, Daisy Sanchez, noted, “Well, I think it’s going to affect a lot of people, but it might bring good change because there’s a lot of people that do bad stuff with it. They misuse it.”
Jordan Salas reports on the requirement changes for SNAP benefits.
Supporters of the bill argue that the new rules will reduce fraud and promote personal responsibility.
However, critics warn that the requirements could disrupt lives, particularly for older adults nearing retirement.
Robert Duran, another El Pasoan, highlighted the challenges faced by older adults, stating, “Once you’re at that age you’re ready to retire. Some people get laid off at that age, layoffs happen. It’s always the senior people that go.”
Mike Landis added, “We’re the richest country in the history of this planet and we’re talking about whether or not to give people food.”
Texas Health and Human Services also provided a statement outlining how the state handles SNAP theft and benefit replacement.
In Texas, the SNAP program is administered by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). In 2023, amid a growing trend of benefits theft through card skimming, phishing and other criminal acts, the federal government made replacement benefits available for SNAP clients who had their benefits stolen. HHSC administered that benefit replacement process in Texas, and for every replacement request, they made a referral to the Texas Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General for further investigation. Federal funding for replacement benefits was not renewed by Congress, so benefits stolen on or after December 21, 2024, have not been eligible for replacement; however, HHSC continues to make referrals to the OIG.The OIG does not directly prosecute SNAP theft, but we may refer cases to local prosecutors. Prosecutors may bring charges such as EBT trafficking (which is a third-degree felony if amount is $200 or more, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines plus restitution), Theft and Fraudulent Use or Possession of Identifying Information, for which punishment varies in severity depending upon the amount stolen or number of items involved.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture has indicated that while the new rules technically took effect in July, states will gradually implement them as individuals are screened or recertified for SNAP, meaning some people may not experience changes immediately.
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