SNAP Recipients Must Fulfill New Work Requirements

The state of Tennessee brings big changes for those who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamp) assistance.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which passed federally in July 2025, cut billions of dollars from the assistance program and introduced changes to who can receive benefits, placing an emphasis on workforce development.

Able-bodied adults (aged 18-64) without dependents, who have no listed disabilities or children under the age of 14, must put in some extra work to be eligible for more than three months of SNAP benefits per three years.

Under the new requirements, able-bodied SNAP recipients must spend an average of 20 hours per week (80 hours per month) working, volunteering or participating in a qualified training program.

Individuals may be exempt from the new work requirement if they are outside of the 18-64 year age limit, are pregnant, are medically certified by the Tennessee Department of Human Services as physically or mentally unfit for unemployment, are responsible for a dependent child who lives in the household, live with someone under the age of 14, care for someone who is sick or disabled, receive disability benefits like Social Security or VA, are enrolled in school at least half time, are in a drug or alcohol treatment program or receive unemployment benefits.

SNAP recipients have until the end of October to prove if they are exempt from the new rules.