OHIO — A new law signed on July 4 has enacted significant reductions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps.
The legislation cuts nearly 20% of SNAP funding, amounting to an estimated $186 billion loss over nine years, according to Congressional Budget Office projections.
The cuts are expected to shift financial responsibility onto states, with Ohio likely needing to compensate for reduced federal support. Experts say the savings cannot be achieved through administrative adjustments, meaning many households could face lowered benefits or lose access to SNAP entirely.
In addition to budget cuts, the law expands work requirements for SNAP recipients. The eligible age for these rules has increased from 55 to 64 years old, and parents with children aged 14 or older must now work at least 20 hours per week to maintain benefits. These changes place more recipients at risk of losing assistance.
While work requirements have been part of SNAP policy since the 1990s, the new stipulations widen the scope, potentially affecting veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and former foster youth, who previously qualified for exemptions.
The average SNAP benefit amounts to roughly $6.20 per day, a figure many say is too low to incentivize employment or substantially improve recipients’ financial situations. Critics argue the expanded requirements could make it more difficult for vulnerable families to access vital food assistance, especially given challenges in today’s job market.
Administrative hurdles related to the new rules may also prevent some eligible recipients from maintaining their benefits.
Research indicates that most SNAP recipients who are able to work are already employed, often in unstable or low-wage jobs. Studies suggest that stricter work requirements do not necessarily encourage higher employment among this population.
The federal government has stated the legislation aims to promote work and responsibility while ensuring assistance reaches those most in need. However, the funding cuts and tightened eligibility criteria have sparked concern among advocates and recipients who worry about the impact on food security and family wellbeing in Ohio and beyond.
