GOP SNAP Proposals Become Law Under OBBA: What It Means for You

If you're among the 40 million Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps), significant changes may be on the horizon. What started as a Republican-led budget proposal earlier this year is now law: the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed on July 4, 2025.

This sweeping law reshapes SNAP eligibility, benefit amounts, and even how much states must pay to run the program. Policy experts warn these changes will reduce benefits for millions of households, especially seniors, working-age adults without children, and families who depend on housing and utility deductions in their SNAP calculations.

Whether you currently receive SNAP benefits or are considering applying, understanding these potential changes is crucial for your household planning. Read on for a detailed breakdown of the proposal and practical steps to prepare for possible changes.

Track all potential changes affecting your benefits by signing up for BenefitKarma today (completely free).

What changed when OBBBA became law?

The House Agriculture Committee's budget reconciliation proposal could fundamentally transform how SNAP operates in 2025 and beyond. The legislation aims to reduce program costs and limit eligibility through revised benefit calculation methods and narrower qualification standards.

When House Republicans first unveiled their 2025 budget plan in spring, it included major cuts to SNAP. Those proposals survived the reconciliation process largely intact and are now part of HR-1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Here are the most important changes already written into law and how it might affect the millions of Americans who depend on this vital food assistance. 

1. Benefit Calculation Changes

What’s changing: The USDA’s ability to update the Thrifty Food Plan (the formula that determines benefit amounts) has been significantly restricted.

Specific changes:

• Updates limited to once every five years

• All updates must be cost-neutral (no increases without equal cuts)

• Annual adjustments now tied only to general inflation, not regional food costs or updated nutrition science

Impact: Benefits will rise more slowly than grocery prices, meaning reduced purchasing power for households over time.

2. Expanded work requirements

Who could lose eligibility: More older adults and low-income individuals in struggling areas will face work requirements to keep benefits.

Specific changes:

• Work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) continue, with narrower exemption categories

• Temporary exemptions for homeless individuals, veterans, and former foster youth under 24 will end in 2030

• Age threshold for work requirements increased from 60 to 65 years

• States can only request waivers where unemployment is above 10% (previously 8%)

Impact: Adults ages 60–65 and residents in weak local economies may lose benefits unless they meet federal work standards.

3. Reduced deductions for housing and internet

What’s changing: Families will lose certain deductions that previously boosted benefit eligibility.

Specific changes:

• Households without elderly or disabled members can no longer count third-party energy assistance toward SNAP calculations

• Internet service expenses (installation and monthly fees) no longer count as deductible shelter costs

Impact: Many families will see smaller monthly SNAP amounts, especially those who relied on housing and internet deductions.

RELATED: WIC: Food Assistance for Women, Infants and Children

4. Shifting costs to states

Financial impact on states: For the first time, states must share direct SNAP costs.

Specific changes:

• Starting in 2028, states must cover 5% of all SNAP benefit costs

• States with payment error rates above 6% face escalating penalties up to 25% of benefit costs

• Federal reimbursement for state administrative costs cut from 50% to 25%

Impact: States may tighten eligibility checks, reduce staffing at SNAP offices, or slow down processing times, making it harder for people to access benefits. (States are also on the hook now for reimbursing stolen SNAP benefits.)

5. Other significant changes

Other changes in OBBA include:

• Immigrant eligibility restrictions: Several categories of lawfully present non-citizens lose SNAP eligibility

• SNAP-Ed eliminated: The national nutrition education and obesity-prevention program is defunded

• Cross-program verification: States must adopt federal systems to identify duplicate benefit use across states and programs

Impact: Fewer households will qualify for SNAP, and support programs tied to nutrition and education are disappearing entirely.

Bottom Line

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) cements the largest SNAP restrictions in decades. While framed as cost-saving, these changes will likely shrink benefits for millions of low-income Americans while shifting new costs to states.

If you currently receive SNAP (or are applying) you should:

• Review your eligibility under the new rules

• Expect changes to your monthly amount, especially if you relied on housing or internet deductions

• Stay informed as states adjust their own policies in response to the new requirements

Stay ahead of these changes by joining the BenefitKarma newsletter. We’ll track how OBBA is rolled out, how states respond, and what options remain for households that depend on SNAP.