Food Stamps Under the Knife: New Work Rules Reshape SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, is undergoing a dramatic transformation. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed by President Trump in 2025, has slashed the program’s funding by 20% and introduced sweeping new work requirements. States are now enforcing these stricter rules, putting benefits at risk for millions of Americans.
"These changes represent the most significant overhaul of SNAP in a decade."
Who Is Affected?
The expanded work requirements now target a wider range of able-bodied recipients, including:
- Adults aged 55 to 64
- Parents of children between the ages of 14 and 17
- Veterans
- People experiencing homelessness
- Youth aging out of foster care
A Call for Personal Stories
In response to these major policy shifts, NPR is actively collecting personal accounts to document the real-world impact. They are particularly interested in hearing from:
- Individuals who have lost SNAP benefits or are at risk of losing them.
- State employees or food assistance workers who are observing these changes on the ground.
Your story could help illuminate the human consequences of this policy shift.
Are you affected by the new SNAP work requirements? NPR wants to hear your firsthand experience.