New York City officials are sounding the alarm over new federal work requirements for SNAP recipients that could leave New Yorkers without benefits.
The new federal law, whose requirements will begin affecting beneficiaries June 1, could leave hundreds of thousands of families in the state without benefits.
Here’s what to know about the new work requirements and how to prepare.
New SNAP work requirements are affecting New Yorkers
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act was passed, which planned to cut SNAP funding by about $187 billion – or 20% – over the next 10 years, according to Harvard Kennedy School faculty research. Under the Act, changes were made to work requirements, who is eligible and what food can be purchased through the program.
Specifically for work requirements, the Human Resources Administration was required to change its eligibility requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents, or ABAWD, recipients on SNAP.
According to the NYC HRA, these recipients were required to comply with the requirements beginning March 1, with benefit reductions scheduled to begin June 1.
City data shows that as of March 2026, there were more than 1.7 million NYC residents on SNAP, meaning the impact on households in the city could be widespread.
According to a release issued by the governor’s office in August, it was estimated that more than 300,000 families in the state could lose some or all of their benefits amid the changes, particularly due to work requirements.
Mamdani posted on the changing requirements, “Food stamp work requirements don’t create jobs, they create hunger. If the federal government wanted to help people find work, it would invest in public jobs programs and guarantee a living wage.”
“Instead, it is punishing people who are already struggling to survive. These rules took effect on March 1, meaning benefit cuts could begin as early as June 1.”
Are my work requirements for SNAP changing?
First, New Yorkers must determine whether they are considered an ABAWD recipient.
Generally falling within the age range of 18 to 64 years, being considered ABWD means that you:
- Do not live with a child under 14 in your home
- are not pregnant
- Not taking care of someone who can’t take care of themselves
- There should be no mental or physical hindrance in employment
Other factors may also be considered. According to the agency, accounts can be checked for ABAWD notices at nyc.gov/accesshra and letters were sent in the mail.
What are the new SNAP work requirements?
The new ABAWD rules stipulate that to receive benefits for more than three months every three years, you must complete 80 hours each month of one or more of the following:
- working
- Participating in a training program that is HRA approved
- Participating in a training program for veterans run by the Department of Labor or the Department of Veterans Affairs
- Participating in a training program under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) or the Trade Act
Another way HRA provides that recipients can meet the requirement is to “participate in an HRA-approved work experience activity or volunteer community service activity for hours per month equal to the family’s SNAP benefit divided by the state minimum wage.”
The agency provides assistance with the requirements, and can be contacted at 718-SNAP-NOW (718-762-7669) for questions on the new rules.