New food stamp requirements start in September

New food stamp requirements start in September

Changes for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, the official name for food stamps, start next month.

The Fiscal Responsibility Act signed by President Joe Biden in June expands the age range requirements for food stamp recipients known as able-bodied adults without dependents, or ABAWD.

Starting Sept. 1, childless workers who are 50 will be required to show they are working at least 80 hours a month or participating in an education or training program to qualify for SNAP. Age requirements will be expanded up to age 52 on Oct. 1 then up to age 54 on Oct. 1, 2024.

Those requirements already exist for most adults ages 18-49 who do not have dependents. People who don’t meet the work requirements are limited to only three months of benefits in a three-year period.

Homeless, veterans or youth ages 18 to 24 who aged out of foster care are exempt from ABAWD requirements. People who are unable to work due to a physical or mental limitation, are pregnant, or have someone under 18 in their household are also excused.

The requirements will be in effect through Oct. 1, 2030.

Nationally, the deal could put SNAP benefits at risk for 750,000 adults, nearly half of whom are women. An analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities predicts 13,000 of those at risk of losing benefits are in Alabama.

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