The "Big Beautiful Bill" passed in July 2025 introduces new disqualifiers and stricter eligibility rules for SNAP (food stamps). Here are the main new disqualifiers you need to know: New SNAP Disqualifiers Under the Big Beautiful Bill 1. Expanded Work Requirements Able-bodied adults ages 18–64 (previously 18–54) must work, volunteer, or participate in job training at least 20 hours per week (80 hours per month) to qualify for SNAP. Parents with children aged 14 or older must also meet these work requirements to keep their own benefits, though their children can still receive SNAP if the parent is disqualified. Veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and former foster youth now must comply with work requirements—previous exemptions for these groups have been removed. If you do not meet these work requirements, you can only receive SNAP for three months in a three-year period. 2. Harder to Get Work Requirement Waivers States can only waive work requirements in areas with unemployment above 10%, making it much harder for people in high-unemployment areas to qualify if they don’t meet the work rule. 3. Stricter Immigrant Eligibility Only U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents now qualify for SNAP. Refugees, asylum seekers, and some other immigrant groups who previously qualified are now excluded unless they have permanent resident status. 4. Income and Resource Limits Standard income and asset limits remain, but states will have less flexibility to expand eligibility or ignore certain assets. 5. Utility Deduction Changes Internet service fees can no longer be counted as a utility deduction, which may reduce benefit amounts for some, but does not directly disqualify anyone. Other utility allowance cuts could lower benefits for about 600,000 low-income households. 6. State Participation Risks States must pay a share of SNAP food benefit costs starting in 2028. If a state cannot afford its share, it may withdraw from SNAP, potentially cutting off access for all residents in that state. The biggest new disqualifiers are failing to meet expanded work requirements, lacking permanent resident or citizenship status, and living in a state that cannot afford to participate in SNAP. Most other eligibility rules remain, but with less flexibility for states to help people who fall through the cracks. New SNAP / Food Stamp requirements - Veterans - Homeless - Foster Youth - Work Requirements 2025