Changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are set to take effect, introducing new work requirements that could jeopardize benefits for many recipients. Starting on Labor Day, recipients must prove they are working or volunteering at least 20 hours per week, a stipulation included in the federal budget bill signed by former President Donald Trump in July.
Residents like Chris Parks, a Philadelphia local who has relied on SNAP for over five years, are feeling the impact of these changes. Parks, who left her job to care for her brother, a kidney transplant recipient with an intellectual disability, emphasized the importance of SNAP in easing financial burdens. “It really helps, especially now with prices fluctuating at the various markets,” she said.
Many recipients are now scrambling to gather the necessary documentation to demonstrate eligibility, as the new requirements pose significant hurdles. “With this new requirement, which is quite complicated, we’re worried that many people may lose access to SNAP, not because they’re no longer eligible, but because they don’t get the correct piece of paper in and processed at the right time,” noted Lydia Gottesfeld, an attorney at Community Legal Services of Philadelphia.
The implications of these requirements are substantial. According to state officials, as many as 144,000 residents in Pennsylvania, including 45,000 in Philadelphia, could lose their SNAP benefits. The new rules primarily affect adults under 55 without children, while veterans and individuals aged 55 to 64 must comply by November.
Parks expressed her frustration at the burden placed on recent retirees, stating, “The last thing you want to be hit with is, ‘If you want to sustain your SNAP benefits, you have to go back out into the workforce and work X amount of hours.’” The situation is compounded by the fact that patients like Parks, who also suffers from diabetes and osteoarthritis, may qualify for exemptions but still face a challenging process.
Those SNAP recipients who earn more than $217.50 per week before taxes are exempt from the new work requirements. However, anyone who fails to meet the criteria will only be eligible for SNAP benefits for three months within a three-year period. Additionally, the new regulations exclude certain immigrants, including refugees, from eligibility.
Many residents remain unaware of these changes, prompting advocacy groups to urge recipients to keep an eye out for official notices in the mail. “We’re hearing a lot of surprise, and people trying to understand the rules that are coming, what paperwork they need to get in,” Gottesfeld added.
The new work requirements highlight the growing complexities surrounding SNAP eligibility and the potential for increased hardship among vulnerable populations. As the deadline approaches, the focus remains on ensuring that those who need assistance can navigate the system without losing essential support.
