The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will see qualification changes beginning September 1.

According to a PA.gov notice, many adults aged 18–64 will need to prove they work 20 hours a week to keep their benefits. If you cannot prove you are working 20 hours a week, you can only get SNAP for three months every three years.

Residents can meet the requirement through:

• Employment (including part-time work)
• Education
• Job training
• Volunteer work

Residents are exempt from the 80-hour requirement if they:

• Have a documented physical or mental disability (including those able to work part-time but not full-time)
• Are a primary caregiver for a dependent child or incapacitated person
• Enrolled in certain training or treatment programs
• Meet other federal exemption criteria

The age range for these requirements will be phased in, starting with those aged 18-50, then increasing to 18-52 on October 1, 2025, and 18-54 on October 1, 2026, according to USA Today. Individuals who are currently receiving SNAP benefits and are not yet subject to the time limit will be affected at their next renewal, according to a state-issued flyer. 

The changes are part of a federal law passed by Congress in July that affects programs run by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), including Medicaid. The DHS is waiting for information on how states must implement these changes, the notice said.

According to PBS, the legislation contains about $4.5 trillion in tax cuts.

In July, the Shapiro administration released estimates of dropped Medicaid and SNAP benefits. Statewide, nearly 144,000 Pennsylvanians who receive SNAP could lose their access to critical food assistance, while 310,000 Pennsylvanians could lose Medicaid coverage, according to the administration. 

To apply for SNAP, you can click here.