As of March 2026, changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) introduced by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21), signed into law on July 4, 2025, are fully in effect across states.
The legislation significantly broadened the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) work rules, extending them to include individuals aged 55 to 64 who were previously exempt.
Under the prior rules, ABAWDs—generally defined as able-bodied adults aged 18-54 without young dependents—faced a time limit of three months of SNAP benefits in a 36-month period unless they met work requirements (at least 80 hours per month of work, job training, volunteering, or a combination). Failure to comply could result in loss of benefits…