The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has been undergoing significant changes since the passage of the 2025 federal reconciliation bill, House Resolution (H.R.) 1. The legislation included massive changes to SNAP, which include eligibility changes for non-citizens, financing changes, and expanded work requirements for certain participants. The legislation required many of these changes to take place immediately, but the reality is that changes could not be implemented until the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) released official guidance on the changes.
And that was all before the 43-day federal shutdown.
Normally, this bureaucratic process unfolds in the background, but it was made more complicated for state and county departments of Job and Family Services as guidance was released during the government shutdown. The combination of the guidance being released with the uncertainty of November benefits being issued, and the numerous court decisions during this time relating to benefits being issued, created a complicated, confusing, and chaotic period for SNAP advocates, recipients, and administrators. The Center for Community Solutions tracked the uncertainty of SNAP during the shutdown, and more can be read here.
Every Ohio SNAP recipient should have received their full SNAP benefits on November 19.
Where are we now?
Coming out of the shutdown, every Ohio SNAP recipient should have received their full SNAP benefits on November 19.
If any recipient did not receive a full benefit payment, they should reach out to the Ohio Benefits help line at 1-844-640-OHIO (6446). Next, it is important to note that many of the federally mandated changes will be implemented soon. We have heard that notices are beginning to be sent out to recipients who will be impacted by the HR 1 related SNAP changes.
The two most noteworthy changes currently are expanded work requirements and non-citizen eligibility.
The standing policy limiting recipients to receiving SNAP for only 3 months out of every 3 years now applies to all adults aged 18-64, unless they are living with a child under age 14, participating in work activities for 20 hours a week, or are otherwise exempt.
SNAP’s three-month time limit has changed
The standing policy limiting recipients to receiving SNAP for only 3 months out of every 3 years now applies to all adults aged 18-64, unless they are living with a child under age 14, participating in work activities for 20 hours a week, or are otherwise exempt. Individuals who may be exempt due to being physically or mentally unable to work; caring for a child under 14 or an incapacitated person; participating in an alcohol or drug treatment program; or in a school or training program should be prepared to submit documentation verifying their exemption.
Beyond work requirements, eligibility has changed for SNAP non-citizens
The only non-citizens that are still eligible for SNAP are U.S. non-citizen nationals, lawful permanent residents (after 5 years), Cuban and Haitian entrants, and migrants from the Compact of Free Association. All other legal immigrants, including refugees and asylum recipients, are no longer eligible for SNAP benefits.
The Center for Community Solutions will continue to track SNAP developments and provide updates as more is learned to ensure that recipients, advocates, and food assistance organizations stay informed on all of the changes.
