SNAP the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is once again dominating searches as food stamp recipients look for clarity on upcoming requirements and payment integrity checks. With more than 42 million Americans depending on these benefits to cover groceries, any shift in the program draws national attention fast.
The USDA has confirmed that SNAP is entering a new phase, one focused on stricter eligibility reviews and updated work rules. And because these adjustments arrive as states report issues with outdated records and duplicate enrollments, households want to know what it means for their monthly EBT funds.
SNAP: why the program is tightening its rules now
SNAP is federally funded but run day-to-day by the states, which process applications and load monthly benefits onto EBT cards. Because of that structure, the program often becomes the center of large audits, especially when participation numbers rise or states alert the USDA to mismatches in their systems.
This year, new data shared with the agency pointed to thousands of outdated or duplicated records. In response, the USDA announced a new verification effort that requires recipients to reapply or update information so states can confirm eligibility before benefits continue.
The timing of this update comes just months after SNAP spending surpassed $100 billion for the 2024 fiscal year, with average monthly benefits sitting near $190 per person and $356 per household.
Reports of irregularities triggered a nationwide review
Information submitted by 29 states showed that some SNAP files belonged to people who were no longer alive, while others appeared more than once across different systems. These cases represent a small share of the total caseload but were still enough to prompt the USDA to launch a national cleanup effort.
Because SNAP is one of the largest federal assistance programs, the agency emphasized the need to maintain updated records before entering 2025. For most recipients, this means completing renewal paperwork on time and verifying identity and household income.
New federal work requirements for some adults
Starting December 1, updated work rules took effect for adults who fall into the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents category. The new guidelines raise the upper age limit from 54 to 64 for those required to work, train or volunteer at least 80 hours per month to stay eligible for benefits.
These rules apply both to new applicants and to existing recipients once they reach their recertification date. States will begin evaluating these cases through 2025, and households may see different notices depending on how each state structures its review cycle.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the expanded work requirement could reduce the average monthly number of SNAP beneficiaries over the next decade by more than two million.
What SNAP recipients should prepare for
To help households understand the most relevant takeaways, here are the essentials:
• SNAP benefits continue on EBT cards, but many states now require updated applications.
• New work rules affect adults ages 18–64 without dependents.
• Participation records are being reviewed to remove duplicate or outdated files.
• Spending on SNAP exceeded $100 billion in FY2024.
• Average benefits remain near $190 per person per month.
A look at the origins of today’s food stamp system
The program began during the Great Depression as the Food Stamp Program, evolving over decades into a permanent federal assistance system. Electronic Benefit Transfer cards, introduced in the 1980s, replaced the original paper coupons and modernized how families purchased food.
The 2008 Farm Bill officially renamed the program as SNAP and expanded federal funding, shaping the structure that exists today. With new requirements now in motion, the USDA says the goal is to keep the program stable and accurate while ensuring households who rely on food assistance receive uninterrupted support.