If you rely on SNAP (Food Stamps) or your child received Summer EBT in 2024, the rules you live under are changing fast. As a Florida-focused enrollment team, we’ve scanned the latest federal guidance, county alerts, and program data so you don’t have to. Here’s our bottom line: stricter work rules, the winding down of SNAP-Ed nutrition education, and timing changes to Summer EBT are converging right now. Households that prepare—by checking eligibility, tracking hours, and recertifying on time—will be best positioned to keep benefits uninterrupted.
Below, we break down what’s changed, what it means for seniors, caregivers, and low‑income families, and the exact steps to take this fall.
What’s new—and why it matters now
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SNAP work rules expand in scope: The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) expands who is considered an Able‑Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) and narrows waiver flexibility, meaning more adults will face work requirements and time limits. According to the National Association of Counties, the ABAWD age range expands to 18–65 (from 18–54), and adults with dependents ages 14 and up are now included. Exemptions for veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and former foster youth are struck. States will have far less latitude to waive work rules—limited to areas with unemployment above 10 percent (with exceptions for Alaska and Hawaii). The practical effect in Florida: more adults will need to document at least 80 hours of work a month or participation in a qualifying program, or face a three-month time limit.
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SNAP-Ed funding ends in FY 2026: OBBBA eliminates SNAP-Ed funding beginning in FY 2026. USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) directed states in August 2025 either to close their FY 2025 SNAP‑Ed grants and return unspent funds or submit a plan by mid- to late-August to continue through September 30, 2026 (NACo guidance). Expect fewer no‑cost nutrition classes, grocery tours, and healthy cooking supports tied to SNAP next year.
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COLA resets hit October 1 each year: SNAP maximum allotments, deductions, and income standards are updated every federal fiscal year based on the cost of living. Adjustments take effect each October 1 (USDA FNS COLA page). Benefits reflect the cost of a “Thrifty Food Plan” market basket priced in June; smaller households get slightly more per person and larger households slightly less. Gross income limits are set at 130% of the federal poverty level; net income limits at 100% (FNS dataset summary).
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Summer EBT continues, but administration tightens: In 2024, 37 states, DC, five territories, and two tribal nations implemented Summer EBT for children; 13 states opted out, citing matching fund and guidance challenges, per the Urban Institute. For 2025, USDA requires individual waiver requests rather than blanket flexibilities and will tie administrative funding to approved plans and budgets, according to USDA’s Summer EBT 2025 Program Requirements. Benefit levels are adjusted annually and published in January; they apply January 1–December 31. Issuances should cover the local summer break period.
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Program scale remains large—even as rules tighten: In FY 2024, 53 state agencies delivered more than $93 billion in SNAP benefits to over 22 million households through EBT, and more than 260,000 retailers were authorized to accept SNAP (USDA Office of Inspector General). National SNAP data and state-by-state participation updates are posted by USDA FNS (latest: May 2025) on its SNAP Data Tables.
Our view: the practical path forward for Florida households
We believe households should act as if stricter eligibility and documentation are here—and use every available tool to stay qualified. Here’s why and how:
1) If you’re 18–65, assume you may be counted under work rules unless clearly exempt.
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What to know: Under current law, ABAWDs must work at least 80 hours/month or participate in a qualifying program to receive ongoing SNAP; failure to comply can limit benefits to three months (NACo). OBBBA expands ABAWD definitions and slims waivers, so more people are pulled into these rules.
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What to do:
- Track your hours weekly. Maintain pay stubs or signed timesheets and keep a simple log.
- If you’re between jobs, ask your local SNAP office which education/training programs count. When in doubt, submit the question in writing and keep a copy.
- Report major changes quickly (job start/end, hours changes, income changes) to avoid overpayments or interruptions.
2) Budget for October benefit changes—and check your eligibility against the new standards.
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What to know: SNAP COLA updates take effect October 1 each year. Maximum benefit amounts and income thresholds change to reflect food costs (USDA FNS COLA info; see also the data.gov COLA overview). Income limits use 130% of poverty (gross) and 100% (net) by household size.
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What to do:
- Verify your household size and deductions with your caseworker after October 1. Ensure shelter, dependent care, and medical deductions (if applicable) are recorded correctly, as they affect your net income.
- Use the FNS Applicants and Recipients resources to check how your household composition and earnings align with eligibility.
3) If your children received Summer EBT in 2024, expect earlier planning and tighter processes for 2025.
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What to know: States faced tight timelines and data hurdles in 2024; many relied on waivers to get benefits out (Urban Institute). For 2025, waivers require individual requests and approval, and agencies must have approved budgets before administrative funds are released (USDA FNS 2025 Requirements). Benefit rates will be published in January each year, effective through December.
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What to do:
- Make sure your child’s school records (address, enrollment, eligibility for free/reduced-price meals) are up to date before spring. In 2024, states cited out-of-date student data as a major challenge (Urban Institute).
- Watch your mail and EBT account starting late spring for issuance schedules tied to your district’s summer break.
- If your household moves, notify both your SNAP office and your child’s school immediately to avoid missed benefits.
4) Plan for fewer SNAP-Ed services and look for alternatives.
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What to know: OBBBA eliminates funding for SNAP-Ed beginning in FY 2026. FNS instructed agencies in August 2025 to either close out FY 2025 grants and return unspent funds or submit plans to spend remaining funds by September 30, 2026 (NACo). Expect fewer on-the-ground nutrition classes and store tours tied to SNAP in 2026.
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What to do:
- If you benefited from SNAP-Ed classes, ask your local SNAP office what community workshops—outside of SNAP-Ed—will remain in 2026.
- Save any printed materials or recipes you’ve found useful; the programs hosting them may wind down.
5) Protect your EBT and stay connected to official updates.
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What to know: FNS maintains national SNAP participation and benefits data and provides a portal to program rules and updates; it also hosts links to report fraud and the USDA National Hunger Hotline on its program pages (see the SNAP Data Tables hub).
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What to do:
- Check your EBT balance regularly and report suspicious card activity using your state EBT customer service number. Use the “Report Fraud” resources linked from FNS program pages.
- Avoid sharing your EBT card/PIN. Phishing scams often surge when big policy shifts occur.
Who is most at risk under the new rules?
Based on the county-level analysis from the National Association of Counties, adults aged 55–65 and caregivers of teens (14+) could newly face ABAWD work requirements, along with groups that previously had categorical exemptions (veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and former foster youth). In areas where unemployment is below 10 percent—which includes most Florida counties—states will have limited ability to waive these requirements. That means more case reviews, documentation checks, and potential three‑month time limits for those not meeting the 80‑hours/month standard or an approved participation pathway.
This is a pivotal shift. SNAP remains one of the most efficient anti-hunger programs, and advocates warn that broad cuts and rule changes could increase hardship. The Food Research & Action Center notes that July 2025’s H.R. 1 made “deep cuts” to SNAP and urges immediate mitigation by states and community partners (FRAC commentary). Whether you agree with the policy direction or not, the takeaway is the same: know the rules, document your compliance, and recertify early.
Practical enrollment and recertification steps you can take today
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Step 1: Confirm your eligibility under the new COLA standards after October 1. Review your household’s gross income (130% of poverty) and net income (100% of poverty) thresholds and update your case file with any allowable deductions (FNS COLA overview; USDA COLA page).
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Step 2: If you’re 18–65, keep a monthly work/participation file. Keep pay stubs, timesheets, or official paperwork showing hours in a qualifying program. If your hours fluctuate, submit updated documents proactively.
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Step 3: Put your recertification date on your calendar and submit early. High caseloads are expected as more adults fall under ABAWD rules (NACo). Submitting early reduces the risk of a lapse.
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Step 4: For households with kids, clean up school data before spring. Many states struggled with inaccurate student records in 2024 Summer EBT rollout (Urban Institute). Make sure your address, enrollment status, and meal eligibility are current.
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Step 5: Stay on official channels for changes. Bookmark USDA FNS’s SNAP Data Tables and program hub for updates