Trump did not stop EBT, but his administration made changes to how the program worked
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly called food stamps) continued operating throughout Donald Trump's presidency from January 2017 to January 2021. No executive order or law eliminated the program. However, the Trump administration did propose and implement rule changes that affected who could receive benefits and how much they received. Some of these changes were blocked by courts, while others took effect.
The most significant change was a 2019 rule that tightened work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents. The rule required states to enforce existing federal law more strictly: adults aged 18 to 49 without children had to work, participate in work training, or volunteer at least 20 hours per week to keep their SNAP benefits. This rule was challenged in court and blocked in some states before the Biden administration reversed it in 2021.
Key Takeaways
- SNAP (EBT) was never shut down or eliminated during the Trump administration; the program continued to operate in all 50 states.
- The Trump administration tightened work requirements for certain recipients, but this rule was blocked by courts in multiple states and later reversed.
- Changes to SNAP rules during this period affected may be able to access for some groups, particularly childless adults, but did not affect families with children or seniors.
- If you received SNAP benefits during 2017 to 2021 and your case was affected by rule changes, you may have been able to appeal or reapply under different rules after 2021.
Which rule changes actually took effect
The Trump administration pursued several changes to SNAP rules through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The most widely implemented change involved the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) category. Federal law already required these adults to work or participate in work activities 20 hours per week, but many states had received waivers that suspended this requirement during economic downturns. The 2019 rule made those waivers harder to obtain and required states to enforce the work requirement more consistently.
A second proposed change would have modified how states count income and resources when determining SNAP may be able to access. This rule faced legal challenges and was not fully implemented before the administration ended. A third change involved tightening the definition of who counts as a dependent, which would have reduced benefits for some households, but this also faced court delays.
Which changes were blocked or reversed
The work requirement rule was challenged immediately by civil rights organizations and state attorneys general. Federal courts in multiple states issued injunctions blocking the rule from taking effect. Some states implemented it anyway, while others did not. When Joe Biden took office in January 2021, his administration reversed the rule through executive action, and the USDA issued new guidance allowing states to return to their previous practices.
Other proposed changes never made it to implementation. The income and resource definition changes were still in litigation when the Trump administration ended. The Biden administration withdrew these proposals, so they never became law.
How the work requirement rule affected recipients
The work requirement rule applied only to adults aged 18 to 49 without dependent children and without a disability. It did not affect families with children, seniors, or people receiving disability benefits. In states where the rule took effect, adults in this category who could not meet the 20-hour work requirement lost their SNAP benefits after three months.
Work activities counted toward the requirement included paid employment, job training programs, community service, and in some cases education or treatment programs. The rule allowed states to set their own definitions of may have access to activities, so the specifics varied by state. Some states were more lenient in what counted as work; others were stricter.
What happened to SNAP during the COVID-19 pandemic
In March 2020, as the pandemic began, Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which suspended the ABAWD work requirement nationwide for the duration of the emergency. This meant that even in states where the Trump administration's rule was in effect, the work requirement was not enforced. The suspension continued through the Biden administration and was extended multiple times.
Congress also authorized emergency SNAP increases during the pandemic. Every household receiving SNAP got a boost in their monthly benefit, up to the maximum allowed. These increases were temporary and tied to the federal emergency declaration, which ended in May 2023.
How to learn about a rule change affected your case
If you lost SNAP benefits between 2017 and 2021 and believe it was because of a rule change, you can contact your state's SNAP agency to ask about your case. Each state administers SNAP differently, so the agency name varies: it may be called the Department of Social Services, Department of Human Services, or Department of Economic Security, depending on your state.
You can also call 211 (a free helpline) and ask to be connected to your local SNAP office. Explain when you lost benefits and why you believe you were affected by a rule change. Some states have reopened cases or issued back benefits to people who were affected by rules that were later blocked or reversed, though this varies by state and depends on how much time has passed.
Current SNAP rules and how to understand changes
As of 2024, SNAP rules have returned to the baseline that existed before the Trump administration's changes. The work requirement for able-bodied adults without dependents is still part of federal law, but states are not required to enforce it as strictly as the 2019 rule attempted to do. Many states continue to grant waivers that suspend the requirement in areas with high unemployment or limited job availability.
SNAP rules can change when Congress passes new laws, when the USDA issues new guidance, or when a new administration takes office. To stay informed about changes that might affect you, contact your state SNAP office directly or call 211 to ask about current rules in your area. Rules vary significantly by state, so what applies in one state may not apply in another.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Trump eliminate food stamps or EBT?
No. The SNAP program (which uses EBT cards) continued throughout the Trump administration. The administration proposed changes to may be able to access rules and work requirements, but did not shut down or eliminate the program itself.
If I lost SNAP benefits during 2017 to 2021, can I get them back?
It depends on why you lost benefits and which state you live in. If you lost benefits because of the work requirement rule and that rule was blocked in your state, you may be able to reapply. Contact your state SNAP office with details about when and why you lost benefits. Some states have reopened cases, but policies vary.
Are work requirements for SNAP still in effect now?
Federal law still requires able-bodied adults without dependents to work 20 hours per week to receive SNAP, but states have flexibility in how strictly they enforce this. Many states grant waivers that suspend the requirement. Check with your state SNAP office to learn what the current rules are where you live.
What counts as work for SNAP work requirements?
Paid employment, job training programs, community service, and some education or treatment programs can count. The specific activities that may have access to vary by state. Ask your state SNAP office for a list of approved work activities in your area.
Did SNAP benefits increase or decrease under Trump?
The maximum monthly benefit amount did not change significantly. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress authorized temporary emergency increases that boosted every household's benefit. These increases ended in May 2023. The base benefit amounts are set by federal law and adjusted annually for inflation.