SNAP work rules expand; USDA weighs mass ‘reapply’ review, cites standard recertification
The USDA under Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is moving to expand SNAP work requirements to additional groups — including people ages 55–64 and some parents of 14–18‑year‑olds — and will fully enforce the three‑month time limit for adults who don’t meet work rules starting in December after a waiver was lifted in November. Rollins has said the agency plans to have all SNAP recipients reapply now that the government has reopened, citing “standard recertification processes” and further regulatory and state‑data reviews, but details for a mass reapplication of roughly 42 million beneficiaries are not yet formalized; analysts warn it could create backlogs and loss of benefits for eligible families (about 40% of recipients are children), while the CBO estimates expanded rules could reduce enrollment by about 2.4 million on average per month over 10 years.
📌 Key Facts
- Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said she plans to have all SNAP recipients reapply now that the government has reopened; USDA has not clarified whether this would go beyond routine recertification and has not formally announced detailed plans.
- A USDA spokesperson said the administration aims to end “fraud, waste, and incessant abuse,” and described using standard recertification processes along with further regulatory work and state data analysis as part of the effort.
- Work requirements that had been waived in November are being reinstated, with the three‑month clock on benefits for recipients not meeting work rules set to be fully in force starting in December.
- The expansion of work rules will cover additional groups (including people ages 55–64 and some parents of children ages 14–18), with limited state waiver flexibility; the Congressional Budget Office estimates the policy change could reduce average monthly SNAP participation by about 2.4 million people over 10 years.
- Experts (including the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities) warn a mass reapplication could create administrative backlogs and cause eligible families to lose benefits; roughly 40% of SNAP recipients are children.
- Critics, including Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig (House Agriculture ranking member), say the administration’s approach shows a lack of understanding of the program; concern is heightened because SNAP benefits had only just resumed after shutdown-related delays.
📰 Sources (3)
- USDA spokesperson said Secretary Rollins seeks to end 'fraud, waste, and incessant abuse' and referenced using 'standard recertification processes' along with 'further regulatory work' and state data analysis.
- The article clarifies that details of a possible requirement for all 42 million SNAP recipients to reapply remain scant and not formally announced.
- Minnesota U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, House Agriculture ranking member, criticized the administration’s SNAP stance, saying it shows a lack of understanding of the program.
- Context that SNAP benefits had only just resumed after shutdown-related delays, heightening concern over any additional administrative burdens.
- Expert analysis (CBPP) warns that a mass reapplication could cause backlogs and eligible families — about 40% of recipients are children — to lose assistance.
- Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said she plans to have all SNAP recipients reapply now that the government has reopened; USDA did not clarify whether this is beyond standard recertification.
- The administration waived work requirements in November; the three‑month clock on benefits without meeting work rules will be fully in force starting in December.
- Reminder of expanded groups subject to work rules (including ages 55–64 and some parents of children ages 14–18) and limited state waiver flexibility, with CBO estimating a ~2.4M average monthly reduction over 10 years.