SNAP Work Rules Get a Proposed Tune-Up, Not a Plot Twist
Published Date: 11/10/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
This new rule changes work requirements for able-bodied adults on SNAP, giving some people more time before they lose benefits if they don’t work or train. It updates who can skip the time limit, adds special exceptions for Alaska and Hawaii, and tightens rules for requesting waivers. These changes could affect many SNAP participants starting after the rule is finalized, aiming to make the program fairer and clearer.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 6 costs, 0 mixed.
People aged 60–64 newly time‑limited
The rule makes people aged 18 through 64 the group subject to the SNAP time limit and raises the age-based exception to 65 or older. As a result, individuals aged 60 through 64—who are not subject to the general work requirements—are now time-limited and may receive SNAP for only three months in a 36-month period if they do not meet the time‑limit work/participation requirements.
Parent exception narrowed to under‑14
The rule updates the parent/household member exception so it applies only if responsible for a dependent child under age 14 (changed from under 18). Parents or household members caring for dependent children aged 14–17 are therefore no longer automatically excepted from the SNAP time limit.
Temporary FRA exceptions removed (homeless, veterans, foster youth)
The rule codifies the OBBB removal of temporary exceptions that had been added by the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023: homeless individuals, veterans, and individuals 24 years of age or younger who were in foster care on their 18th birthday are no longer exceptions from the SNAP time limit.
Waivers limited to high unemployment areas
The rule removes the waiver criterion based on a 'lack of sufficient jobs' and limits waivers to areas with unemployment rates over 10 percent (except noncontiguous States). Time-limited waivers granted under the former 'lack of sufficient jobs' criterion would no longer be available under the new standard.
Tighter waiver rules, data, and durations
The rule would tighten waiver approval standards: require BLS or BLS-cooperating agency data showing a recent 12‑month average unemployment rate for waiver requests (with limited exceptions for exceptional circumstances or areas lacking BLS data); define allowable waiver 'areas' to be Commuting Zones, counties/county-equivalents, reservation areas, or U.S. Territories (and generally prohibit grouping disparate localities); limit waiver approval duration to one year (unless a State requests shorter); require chief executive officer support for waiver requests; and affirm the Secretary may deny requests even when statutory unemployment thresholds are met.
SNAP 'homeless' definition narrowed
The Department proposes reverting the SNAP definition of 'homeless individual' to remove the phrase 'imminently homeless,' returning to the statutory language in 7 CFR 271.2.
Alaska & Hawaii: special thresholds and temporary exemptions
For noncontiguous States (identified as Alaska and Hawaii), waivers may be approved when an area's unemployment rate is at or above 1.5 times the national average. The rule also codifies a temporary 'good faith' exemption for noncontiguous States that the Department may approve if the State demonstrates good faith efforts to comply; such good faith exemptions expire no later than December 31, 2028, and require quarterly progress reports every three months.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-22936, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Reforming Categorical Eligibility
This new rule changes who can automatically qualify for food help through SNAP. Only families getting direct cash help from TANF will qualify, not those getting other types of TANF services. This means SNAP benefits will better target families who really need them, starting after the comment period ends on December 10, 2026.
2026-22679, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Online Ordering and Transactions and Food Delivery Revisions To Meet the Needs of a Modern, Data-Driven Program
Starting December 7, 2026, the WIC program is getting a tech upgrade! This means easier online ordering, smoother food delivery, and better use of data to help moms, babies, and kids get healthy food faster. States will have new tools to modernize WIC while keeping everything secure and fair, with clear deadlines to follow and room for feedback until January 5, 2027.
2026-21658, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Electronic Benefits Transfer Card Security Measures
The USDA is proposing new rules to make SNAP EBT cards safer and easier to use by updating their technology to match modern payment systems. These changes will help protect benefits from theft and make sure approved families can access their food aid without hassle. People can share their thoughts on these updates until December 22, 2026, with no immediate cost changes announced.
2026-16760, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Changes in Federal-State Administrative Cost Sharing; Extension of Comment Period
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) is extending the public comment period on the proposed rule, "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Changes in Federal-State Administrative Cost Sharing," which was published in the Federal Register on June 24, 2026. This action extends the public comment period from August 24, 2026, to September 8, 2026, to give the public additional time to review the proposed rule.
2026-12696, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Changes in Federal-State Administrative Cost Sharing
Starting in fiscal year 2027, the federal government will pay less—dropping its share of SNAP state administrative costs from 50% to 25%. This change affects states running the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and means they’ll cover more of the costs. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to comment by August 24, 2026!
2026-22876, The Emergency Food Assistance Program; Availability of Foods for Fiscal Year 2027
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is gearing up for Fiscal Year 2027 by announcing the types of surplus and purchased foods available to help feed people in need. States will get food based on poverty and unemployment rates, then share it with local groups who prepare meals or hand out groceries. This update keeps the food flowing smoothly, making sure families get the support they need without delay.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-22936, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Reforming Categorical Eligibility
This new rule changes who can automatically qualify for food help through SNAP. Only families getting direct cash help from TANF will qualify, not those getting other types of TANF services. This means SNAP benefits will better target families who really need them, starting after the comment period ends on December 10, 2026.
Next: 2026-22951, Special Conditions: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Model GVII-G400 Airplane; Flight Envelope Protection: Takeoff Stall Protection
The FAA has set new safety rules for Gulfstream’s GVII-G400 airplane to prevent dangerous stalls during takeoff by adding special flight envelope protections. These rules kick in immediately and make sure this high-tech plane meets top safety standards. Gulfstream and anyone involved with this model should note the changes and can comment by the end of December 2026.