Expanded Work Requirements for SNAP Take Effect November 1st

Navigating New SNAP Requirements

To our NY-14 community,

You’ve probably heard about Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and how it may start to affect your SNAP benefits. In today’s newsletter, the Office of Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez would like to update you on what you can expect now that the Trump administration has released guidance for states to begin implementing OBBBA’s changes to SNAP.

Below are details on new SNAP requirements and how you may be impacted. You can also navigate to our website for more information or to the NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA) website.

Find the nearest food pantry

Expanded Work Requirements for SNAP Take Effect November 1st

Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act expands who is subject to SNAP work requirements.

That means that most adults up to age 64 will now have to fill out paperwork showing they are working, volunteering, or participating in a work training program for at least 80 hours a month. Veterans, unhoused people, and former foster youth will now also be subject to these policies.

Individuals who are newly subject to these expanded SNAP work requirements must be able to demonstrate compliance by December 1st, 2025.

The first possible month where individuals could lose their SNAP benefits due to noncompliance is March 2026.

Who is exempt?

Families with children under 14
Pregnant individuals
People with disabilities

***You will be contacted by the NYC HRA if you are subject to these requirements. If you are not contacted, you are not required to comply with these expanded work requirements and should follow the standard SNAP processes.***

How To Comply With New SNAP Requirements

Assessments Begin November 1, 2025

In order to demonstrate compliance with these new SNAP requirements, you must do one of the following activities:

Work at least 80 hours a month
Participate in an approved work training program for at least 80 hours a month
Participate in a combination of work and a work training program for a total of at least 80 hours a month
Participate in a work experience or community services activity that is approved by NYC HRA for the number of hours assigned each month
- The number of hours will depend on the amount of SNAP benefits received. Generally, this would require less than 80 hours a month, however, this is calculated on an individual basis.

If you are now subject to these requirements, you must demonstrate compliance by December 1, 2025. The first possible month where your benefits may be disrupted due to noncompliance is March 2026.

If it is determined that you must meet these requirements, you will receive a notice from NYC HRA, which will outline the requirements. If you are currently not meeting the requirements, you will receive a separate notice for an appointment at an HRA Pathways for Access to Careers and Employment (PACE) provider, who can help you find activities to comply with the new requirements.

It is very important that you respond to any notices you receive from the NYC HRA. Do your interviews, pay attention to the notices you receive, and make sure to attend any appointments you may have.

If you have questions, please call 718-SNAP-NOW (718-762-7669).

How The Government Shutdown Will Impact SNAP

November SNAP Benefits

The Republican government shutdown has recently begun to impact federally funded programs such as SNAP. The Trump Administration is directing all states to hold on issuing November benefits, despite sufficient federal funding to cover benefits. As a result, 160,000 individuals in NY-14 are at risk of not having access to timely food benefits starting November 1.

SNAP benefits that have been issued but have not yet been spent will still be available to recipients in November. Please be advised that:

Local SNAP Centers remain open and are operating as usual
New applications continue to be accepted and recertifications and other case actions continue to be processed
EBT cards continue to work normally
Clients need to continue to comply with all SNAP related guidance/requirements

In Service,

The Office of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez