The U.S. retirement and benefits system often tied to long-term eligibility checks and slow paperwork is now at the center of a major shake-up affecting SNAP. Nearly 42 million low-income Americans could be required to reapply from zero for their food assistance under a plan federal officials say aims to curb fraud.
The proposal arrives just days after the government reopened, adding fresh pressure on households that already navigate the overlapping retirement-income rules, poverty thresholds and periodic recertifications. Officials say the redesign would tighten oversight, though the change could also mean longer waits and more paperwork for families depending on monthly EBT funds.
Retirement system pressures spill into SNAP oversight
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said after the reopening that the SNAP program is being reviewed from the ground up, with a focus on eligibility and how states confirm it. She argued that anyone receiving taxpayer-funded help should “clearly be unable to get by without it,” placing this overhaul as an early priority in the benefits system.
The announcement follows a turbulent shutdown that briefly halted SNAP payments on Nov. 1 the first interruption in the program’s history before funding was restored on Nov. 12. Households relying on EBT cards saw delays and uncertainty that stretched across several states during the 43-day disruption.
Rollins also mentioned preliminary figures suggesting deceased individuals still appear in state files, though SNAP benefits are loaded onto electronic cards, not issued as physical checks. States are now reviewing these records as part of the broader benefits cleanup.
Concerns about fraud and how it occurs
Fraud within SNAP typically involves misstated income, identity issues or retailers exchanging benefits for unapproved items. In recent years, criminals have also stolen benefits by cloning or skimming EBT cards during everyday transactions.
Independent reports have often noted that most overpayments result from unintentional mistakes rather than intentional fraud. Still, the reapplication proposal argues for stricter proof of income and household information to match the rules that already govern retirement-based benefits and other assistance programs.
Who relies on SNAP and what they receive
SNAP, known for decades as food stamps, currently supports about 12% of the country. Many recipients are older adults, people with disabilities, or households with children. Eligibility requires income at or below 130% of the federal poverty line. In 2025, that meant up to $15,650 for one person, $26,650 for a family of three, and $37,650 for a family of five.
Monthly benefit amounts vary by household size. A single adult could receive up to $298, while a three-person home might get $785 and a household of five up to $1,183. Certain additional rules apply for elderly or disabled members, who may have higher allowable expenses.
How recertification works today
Right now, recipients undergo periodic recertification, usually every six months, though exact timing depends on state rules and household circumstances. These check-ins require reporting any changes in income, medical costs, living arrangements or employment history.
States handle the administration of SNAP but rely on federal funding. Under the recent funding agreement, states are covering a larger share of operating costs, creating new pressure if tens of millions of people must restart applications from scratch.
What reapplication would look like
Reapplying is significantly more demanding than routine recertification. Applicants must submit full documentation ID, citizenship papers, proof of residence, income records, expenses and complete an eligibility interview. After that, the state verifies all information before issuing a decision, a process that typically takes around 30 days.
Some states allow online filing, though many households still experience long wait times for interviews and confirmation. If the new proposal moves forward, advocates expect that processing times could stretch further as states work through tens of millions of new applications at once.