News/Commentary

ABC News frets over SNAP work requirements going into effect on Feb. 1

January 31, 2026 | | Print Article

Americans are about to see changes to their SNAP benefits, and at least one news outlet sees that as a bad thing.

Conservatives have long maintained that those receiving handouts from the government, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, should have to show proof that they are working or actively searching for work. On February first, such work requirements will go into effect, with ABC News reporting that ” it could mean that millions of Americans lose their benefits.”

Look:

“Nearly 42 million Americans, including low-income families and vulnerable households, rely on the federal program to help pay for groceries or other household essentials,” the outlet reported.

Thanks to President Donald Trump’s megabill, which was signed into law in July 2025, certain Americans will have their SNAP conditioned on work requirements, which will be imposed for those receiving benefits for longer than three months. The age limit for work requirements was also raised “from age 54 through age 64 for the first time for able-bodied adults without dependents.”

“Additionally, exemptions were changed for parents or other family members with responsibility for a dependent under 18 years old, lowering the age of exemptions to those caring for children under 14 years old,” ABC News noted, adding later that exemptions for “homeless individuals, veterans and young adults who were in foster care when they turned age 18” were also eliminated.

ADVERTISEMENT

According to the CEO of Hunger Free America, Joel Berg, this could mean the end of benefits for “millions” of Americans.

“Millions of people will unnecessarily be kicked off the rolls. They will lose the food they need, and sometimes family members need. … More Americans will go hungry. Soup kitchens and food pantries and the food banks that supply them will not have the resources to meet this need,” he told ABC.

Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates from August indicate that 1.1 million Americans will no longer be receiving benefits between 2025 and 2034. One million people would have received a waiver had the rules not changed under Trump.

“It will be extraordinarily difficult for them, and they are among the most vulnerable Americans already,” Berg stated. “Some of the most vulnerable populations — homeless people, veterans and young people who just left foster care — are going to lose their food, lose their groceries and there is no plan in place to fix that.”

While leftists fret about this, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins issued a statement reminding everyone that benefits were always meant to be temporary until the recipient can get back on their feet.

ADVERTISEMENT

“The American dream is not being on [a] food stamp program. The American dream is not being on all these programs. That should be a hand up, not a handout. … As of yesterday, we have moved 1.75 million people off of SNAP.”

A USDA spokesperson told ABC News that local agencies “must prepare to enforce the time limit in areas without waivers.”

“The Department remains committed to providing technical assistance to state agencies, including guidance and state-specific assistance, to ensure successful implementation of the time limit, the subsequent work requirement, and most importantly, helping eligible recipients move from welfare to work, education, or training opportunities,” they added.

Sierra Marlee
Latest posts by Sierra Marlee (see all)

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

Latest Articles