What happened to food stamps under the Trump administration

The Trump administration made several changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly called food stamps. The most significant was a rule change in 2019 that tightened work requirements for adults without dependents. This rule, finalized in December 2019, required able-bodied adults ages 18 to 49 without dependents to work, participate in work training, or volunteer at least 20 hours per week to receive SNAP benefits.

The rule also changed how states could grant exemptions. Previously, states had flexibility to waive work requirements during periods of high unemployment or limited job availability in their region. The new rule made these waivers much harder to obtain, requiring states to prove that their unemployment rate exceeded 7 percent or that jobs were genuinely unavailable in specific areas.

A second major change involved the standard deduction used to calculate SNAP benefits. In 2021, the Trump administration increased the standard deduction, which reduced the number of people counted as poor enough to receive benefits. This affected households that were just above the income threshold.

Key Takeaways

  • The Trump administration tightened work requirements for SNAP recipients ages 18 to 49 without dependents, requiring 20 hours per week of work, training, or volunteering.
  • States lost much of their ability to waive work requirements during economic downturns, making it harder for unemployed people to keep benefits.
  • An increase to the standard deduction in 2021 reduced how many people could receive SNAP by raising the income threshold.
  • The Biden administration reversed the work requirement rule in 2021, restoring state flexibility to grant waivers during economic hardship.
  • Current SNAP rules depend on which administration's policies are in effect, so your state's requirements may have changed since 2021.

How the work requirement rule actually worked

Under the 2019 rule, adults without dependents who did not meet the 20-hour work requirement lost SNAP benefits after three months in a 36-month period. This meant someone could receive benefits for three months, then lose them for the rest of the year if they did not work enough hours. The clock would reset the following year.

The rule had exceptions. People over 49, people with disabilities, pregnant people, people caring for children or disabled family members, and homeless people were exempt. Veterans and people in certain job training programs also did not have to meet the requirement.

States were supposed to verify that people met the work requirement, but enforcement varied widely. Some states had systems in place to track work hours; others struggled to monitor compliance. Many people lost benefits because they did not understand the requirement or did not know how to report their work hours to their state.

When the rule took effect and what changed

The work requirement rule took effect on December 3, 2019. It applied immediately in most states, though some states delayed implementation by a few months to update their computer systems.

In January 2021, after the Biden administration took office, the Department of Agriculture suspended enforcement of the rule. In March 2021, the rule was formally reversed. States regained the ability to waive work requirements during periods of economic hardship, and the 20-hour requirement no longer applied to new SNAP recipients.

However, the rule reversal did not automatically restore benefits to people who had lost them. People who were cut off had to reapply through their state SNAP office. Some states conducted outreach to notify former recipients; others did not.

The standard deduction change and who it affected

In addition to work requirements, the Trump administration raised the SNAP standard deduction in 2021. The standard deduction is an amount subtracted from a household's income before determining whether they are poor enough to receive SNAP. When the standard deduction goes up, fewer people fall below the income limit.

This change affected households that were close to the income cutoff but not quite over it. For example, a single person in a state with a higher standard deduction might have earned just enough to be disqualified, even though they would have may have access to under the previous standard deduction. The exact impact depended on the state, because states set their own income limits within federal guidelines.

How current SNAP rules work after these changes

SNAP rules now depend on which policies are currently in effect. As of 2024, the work requirement rule that was reversed in 2021 remains reversed, meaning states have flexibility to waive work requirements. However, some states have chosen to enforce work requirements anyway, using their own state rules rather than federal ones.

To find out what SNAP rules apply in your state right now, contact your state SNAP office or call 211. Rules change, and what applied last year may not apply this year. Your state can tell you whether work requirements are in effect, what the current income limits are, and what documents you need to provide.

If you lost SNAP benefits under the 2019 work requirement rule and believe you should have been exempt, you may be able to request a hearing with your state. Each state has a process for appealing benefit decisions. Your state SNAP office can explain how to file an appeal.

What the changes meant for different groups of people

The work requirement rule hit hardest on people who were unemployed, underemployed, or working part-time. People with disabilities, chronic health conditions, or caregiving responsibilities often could not meet the 20-hour requirement, even though they had exemptions on paper. Many did not know they were exempt and simply lost benefits.

People in rural areas and small towns were affected differently than people in cities. Rural areas often have fewer job training programs and fewer employers hiring, making it harder to find 20 hours of work per week. Some rural states requested waivers under the old rules and got them; after the rule tightened, those waivers became much harder to obtain.

Older adults ages 50 to 59 without dependents were not exempt from the work requirement, even though many had health problems or had been out of the job market for years. This group saw significant benefit losses in states that enforced the rule strictly.

How to learn about changes affected your benefits

If you lost SNAP benefits between December 2019 and March 2021, the work requirement rule may have been the reason. To find out, contact your state SNAP office and ask why your benefits ended. Request a written explanation if possible.

If you were cut off because you did not meet the work requirement, and you believe you should have been exempt, ask your state about the appeals process. Bring documentation of your situation: proof of disability, proof of caregiving responsibilities, proof of homelessness, or proof that you were in a job training program. Each state has different procedures, but all states must give you a chance to explain your situation before they deny benefits.

If you reapply now and are denied, you can also request a hearing. Your state must provide a written notice explaining why you were denied and how to request a hearing. This process is free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Trump stop food stamps completely?

No. The Trump administration did not end SNAP. It made the rules stricter for some people, particularly adults without dependents. Most people on SNAP — families with children, elderly people, and people with disabilities — were not directly affected by the work requirement changes.

Can I get back benefits I lost under the work requirement rule?

Possibly, but it depends on your state and how long ago you lost benefits. Some states conducted outreach and restored benefits automatically. Others required people to reapply. If you lost benefits and believe you were exempt from the work requirement, contact your state SNAP office and ask about an appeal or a new application.

Are work requirements still in effect for food stamps?

It depends on your state. The federal work requirement rule was reversed in 2021, so states can now waive it. However, some states have chosen to enforce work requirements using their own state rules. Call your state SNAP office or 211 to find out what rules apply where you live.

What counts as work for the 20-hour requirement?

Work includes any paid employment, self-employment, or participation in approved job training or work-study programs. Volunteering also counts. Caregiving for a child or disabled family member does not count as work unless you are paid for it. If you had questions about whether your activity counted, your state SNAP office should have explained this when you applied.

How do I know if I was exempt from the work requirement?

You were exempt if you were age 50 or older, had a disability, were pregnant, were caring for a child under 6 or a disabled family member, were homeless, or were in certain job training programs. If you lost benefits and think you fit one of these categories, bring proof to your state SNAP office and ask about restoring your benefits.