New SNAP rules begin, adding requirements for many
By: Megan Burrow
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... New requirements for people who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, including roughly 850,000 people in New Jersey, went into effect on Sunday February 1. [2026]
....
The food assistance program is available to families with low incomes to help them buy groceries through a care that is accepted in most food stores and at some farmers markets.
..... The restrictions to the program, formerly know as "food stamps" were part of the "One Big Beautiful Bill" that passed last summer. [2025]
The bill cut an estimated $186 billion from SNAP funding through 2034, the Congressional Budget Office said.
..... The changes include increased work requirements, which kicked in on February 1. [2026]
..... Under the bill, groups that historically have been exempt from work requirements, like veterans, people without a home, refugees or young adults aging out of foster care, are now also subject to the requirements.
..... Able-bodied individuals between the ages 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 continue receiving benefits beyond three months in a three-year period. The top age was previously 55.
..... Parents and other household members must meet the addition work requirement if a dependent child is age 14 or older. Previously, those with a child under 18 were exempt from the requirement.
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Veterans, people age 24 and younger who recently aged out of foster care, and hothoused people are no longer exempt from work requirements.
..... The ability of states to temporarily extend benefits beyond three months in areas were there are an insufficient number of jobs has also been restricted. Now, states may request a waiver only if the unemployment rate in an area meets or exceeds 10%.
..... The program became a political flash-point last fall, [2025] when benefits lapsed during the federal government shutdown.
..... To qualify for the benefits, households must be at or below 130% of the poverty line, meaning they earn no more than 30% more than the federal poverty guideline, which in 2026 was $15,960 for a single person, $27,320 for a three-person household, and $38,680 for a five-person household. Average SNAP benefits are about $6.20 a day.
..... Of the 812,966 SMAP recipients in New Jersey form 436,452 households 341,529 are children.
..... About 1 in 3 of those enrolled have disabilities and 1 in 5 are not over 60 years old, said the state Department of Human Services.
..... This article contains material from USA Today.