Work Requirements for SNAP take Effect This Month (February)

[Seymour Flops]

Effective today, Sunday, Feb 1, 2026:

• Under the bill, able-bodied individuals between the ages of 18 and 65 without dependents must work or attend a work program, such as SNAP Employment and Training, at least 80 hours per month to receive benefits. Previously, the top age was 55.
• It also requires parents and household members to meet the additional work requirements if a dependent child is aged 14 or older. Previously, those with a child under 18 were exempt from the requirements.
• Veterans, people 24 and under who recently aged out of foster care, and unhoused people are no longer exempt from work requirements.
• It also restricted states’ ability to temporarily extend benefits beyond three months in areas where the number of jobs is insufficient. Now, they may only request a waiver if the unemployment rate in an area meets or exceeds 10%.

These requirements seem so common sensical that it is hard to remember why there was such stong objection to them.

I'm actually surprised at how lenient the program still is.

 

[Darkwind]

Effective today, Sunday, Feb 1, 2026:

• Under the bill, able-bodied individuals between the ages of 18 and 65 without dependents must work or attend a work program, such as SNAP Employment and Training, at least 80 hours per month to receive benefits. Previously, the top age was 55.
• It also requires parents and household members to meet the additional work requirements if a dependent child is aged 14 or older. Previously, those with a child under 18 were exempt from the requirements.
• Veterans, people 24 and under who recently aged out of foster care, and unhoused people are no longer exempt from work requirements.
• It also restricted states’ ability to temporarily extend benefits beyond three months in areas where the number of jobs is insufficient. Now, they may only request a waiver if the unemployment rate in an area meets or exceeds 10%.

These requirements seem so common sensical that it is hard to remember why there was such stong objection to them.

I'm actually surprised at how lenient the program still is.

Yes, I thought that they should have at least required 120 hours a month.

 

[1srelluc]

In many states the "no junk food" laws kick in too.

The USDA has approved waiver requests from Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah to prohibit certain unhealthy foods from being purchased with SNAP benefits. With the exception of Colorado, all of these states are led by Republican administrations.

 

[Seymour Flops]

Yes, I thought that they should have at least required 120 hours a month.

Yes, about three weeks out of four.

Lots of the people punching time clocks and being taxed to pay for SNAP would love to only need to work three weeks out of four.

 

[justoffal]

Effective today, Sunday, Feb 1, 2026:

• Under the bill, able-bodied individuals between the ages of 18 and 65 without dependents must work or attend a work program, such as SNAP Employment and Training, at least 80 hours per month to receive benefits. Previously, the top age was 55.
• It also requires parents and household members to meet the additional work requirements if a dependent child is aged 14 or older. Previously, those with a child under 18 were exempt from the requirements.
• Veterans, people 24 and under who recently aged out of foster care, and unhoused people are no longer exempt from work requirements.
• It also restricted states’ ability to temporarily extend benefits beyond three months in areas where the number of jobs is insufficient. Now, they may only request a waiver if the unemployment rate in an area meets or exceeds 10%.

These requirements seem so common sensical that it is hard to remember why there was such stong objection to them.

I'm actually surprised at how lenient the program still is.

Becuzzzz.....buying votes!

 

[Darkwind]

Yes, about three weeks out of four.

Lots of the people punching time clocks and being taxed to pay for SNAP would love to only need to work three weeks out of four.

Yep. I am thinking a 32-hour work week. That actually qualifies as full-time.

 

[Seymour Flops]

In many states the "no junk food" laws kick in too.

The USDA has approved waiver requests from Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah to prohibit certain unhealthy foods from being purchased with SNAP benefits. With the exception of Colorado, all of these states are led by Republican administrations.

That's more good news.

Good for the taxpayers, who won't have to watch SNAP bennie users buy cases of soda, party-size bags of chips, and boxes of Ho-Ho's with their money.

Even better for the kids who are fed a steady diet of sugar, salt, and capsaicin at home, combined with incredibly bland Michelle Meals on the "free lunch" program.

Texas' ban starts April 1st. I predict that cashiers will bear the brunt of the dolees' insistent that "naw, you playin' a joke!"

 

[Concerned American]

Yep. I am thinking a 32-hour work week. That actually qualifies as full-time.

While factual, I believe that law was put into effect by democrats attempting to force employers provide health insurance to part timers.

 

[WEATHER53]

These 18-80 year old lib loon children have got a lot of normal adult responsibilities coming their way

 

[Concerned American]

These 18-80 year old lib loon children have got a lot of normal adult responsibilities coming their way

18-64 just sayin'

 

[egp320i]

Effective today, Sunday, Feb 1, 2026:

• Under the bill, able-bodied individuals between the ages of 18 and 65 without dependents must work or attend a work program, such as SNAP Employment and Training, at least 80 hours per month to receive benefits. Previously, the top age was 55.
• It also requires parents and household members to meet the additional work requirements if a dependent child is aged 14 or older. Previously, those with a child under 18 were exempt from the requirements.
• Veterans, people 24 and under who recently aged out of foster care, and unhoused people are no longer exempt from work requirements.
• It also restricted states’ ability to temporarily extend benefits beyond three months in areas where the number of jobs is insufficient. Now, they may only request a waiver if the unemployment rate in an area meets or exceeds 10%.

These requirements seem so common sensical that it is hard to remember why there was such stong objection to them.

I'm actually surprised at how lenient the program still is.

65 is a bit high, imagine a guy who is 63 being forced to work for walmart
If 62 is retirement then 62 should be the max I would think

then again if you are close to 62 and actually worked all your life you should
have plenty of money for food

 

[Concerned American]

65 is a bit high, imagine a guy who is 63 being forced to work for walmart
If 62 is retirement then 62 should be the max I would think

then again if you are close to 62 and actually worked all your life you should
have plenty of money for food

Full SS retirement age is 67 currently. You can go at 62 but you lose 0.5% per month of your benefit that you go early.

 

[egp320i]

Full SS retirement age is 67 currently. You can go at 62 but you lose 0.5% per month of your benefit that you go early.

no kidding, must have missed the memo they raised it, nobody wants to work to 67
it's actually your money you put into a government fund, if a ROTH is 59 1/2 that
should be SS too, same idea

 

[Concerned American]

no kidding, must have missed the memo they raised it, nobody wants to work to 67
it's actually your money you put into a government fund, if a ROTH is 59 1/2 that
should be SS too, same idea

Yeah, they've been raising it incrementally for years. When I went, 12 years ago, the age was 66 years 8 mo. I went early and paid a price in reduced benefits. Personally, I believe the retirement age should be what it was when you first entered the workforce. Seems a bit of bait and switch.

 

[Independent thinker]

Effective today, Sunday, Feb 1, 2026:

• Under the bill, able-bodied individuals between the ages of 18 and 65 without dependents must work or attend a work program, such as SNAP Employment and Training, at least 80 hours per month to receive benefits. Previously, the top age was 55.
• It also requires parents and household members to meet the additional work requirements if a dependent child is aged 14 or older. Previously, those with a child under 18 were exempt from the requirements.
• Veterans, people 24 and under who recently aged out of foster care, and unhoused people are no longer exempt from work requirements.
• It also restricted states’ ability to temporarily extend benefits beyond three months in areas where the number of jobs is insufficient. Now, they may only request a waiver if the unemployment rate in an area meets or exceeds 10%.

These requirements seem so common sensical that it is hard to remember why there was such stong objection to them.

I'm actually surprised at how lenient the program still is.

God forbid that able bodied people be forced to work for a living.

 

[WEATHER53]

God forbid that able bodied people be forced to work for a living.

Work is mean and it stresses people and their feelings about it are not always pleasant so it should be illegal

 

[egp320i]

Yeah, they've been raising it incrementally for years. When I went, 12 years ago, the age was 66 years 8 mo. I went early and paid a price in reduced benefits. Personally, I believe the retirement age should be what it was when you first entered the workforce. Seems a bit of bait and switch.

from my logical standpoint it's like a ROTH, your money you invest like a 401K except it's only your money not being matched

SS is still your money in a government controlled fund

if a ROTH is 59 1/2 which is and odd number at 60 you should be able to get your full payout

our government likely puts it into very mild "safe" funds for lower risk but lower reward

start working at 18-60 that is 42 years, work construction that is some serious wear and tear on the body
working a desk job, not so much

 

[Freedomisneverfree]

In many states the "no junk food" laws kick in too.

The USDA has approved waiver requests from Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah to prohibit certain unhealthy foods from being purchased with SNAP benefits. With the exception of Colorado, all of these states are led by Republican administrations.

No Twinkies or Cheetos in South Carolina

 

[WEATHER53]

No Twinkies or Cheetos in South Carolina

Now we are starving them
Lib101

 

[justoffal]

That's more good news.

Good for the taxpayers, who won't have to watch SNAP bennie users buy cases of soda, party-size bags of chips, and boxes of Ho-Ho's with their money.

Even better for the kids who are fed a steady diet of sugar, salt, and capsaicin at home, combined with incredibly bland Michelle Meals on the "free lunch" program.

Texas' ban starts April 1st. I predict that cashiers will bear the brunt of the dolees' insistent that "naw, you playin' a joke!"

Shit is gonna hit the fan