HOUSTON \u2013 SNAP benefits are being distributed again, but recipients may soon face a new challenge.<\/p>\n
Expanded work requirements under the recently passed \u201cBig Beautiful Bill\u201d are set to roll out, meaning many will need to meet new rules to keep their benefits.<\/p>\n
The Congressional Budget Office estimates these SNAP work requirements could push about 2.4 million people off the program over the next decade. That includes many in Texas, with some potentially losing critical food assistance as early as March.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the two most consequential changes here are raising the age at which people are no longer exempted from providing proof of work, from 54 to 64, and also removing the exemption from people who have dependent children who are 14 to 17,\u201d Jones said.<\/p>\n
When asked if volunteering counts, Jones explained, \u201cWhen we refer to it as a work requirement, it is generally showing that you are being productive and that means either working, volunteering, or going to school, but you need to be able to document that you have provided 80 hours of work a month.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jones also noted changes for certain groups previously exempted. \u201cFor some of the homeless population, that\u2019s a group that\u2019s been exempted in the past, it\u2019s no longer being exempted.\u201d<\/p>\n
He confirmed veterans will also be affected by the new rules.<\/p>\n
One major concern among experts is the potential confusion caused by the documentation process.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the concerns that advocates for lower-income Americans have is that you are going to have a significant number of people that do qualify but because of the bureaucratic challenges and the complexity of the process, will fall through the cracks and lose their benefits because they don\u2019t file it, they don\u2019t have the correct information, or their information in the processing gets gummed up in the system,\u201d Jones said.<\/p>\n
Jones said it is not yet clear when recipients will need to begin documenting their work hours, but he expects clear guidelines for Texas to be available by the start of 2026.<\/p>\n
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