SNAP eligibility rules have changed, subjecting many recipients who were previously exempt to work requirements. Under the new requirements, able-bodied adults ages 18-65 who doesn’t have a child under 14 could love access to their benefits if they do not meet the work requirements. To help maintain benefits, SNAP recipients should ensure they are reading and responding to all notices regarding benefits and submitting required documentation.
Last-reviewed: Feb. 4, 2026
Nutrition Assistance
- The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBA) changed which immigrant families are eligible for SNAP. The only groups who remain eligible for SNAP are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and Compact of Free Association citizens from the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau. Asylees, refugees, and other humanitarian statuses will no longer be eligible. These changes will be implemented on a rolling basis as recipients recertify eligibility.
- Families seeking food assistance can contact the National Hunger Hotline by phone (1-866-348-6479) Monday to Friday from 8a-8p ET. They can also text SNAP, EBT, or Food to (914) 342-7744 to find programs and resources in their area.
- SNAP: SNAP’s 3-month time limit for adults between the ages of 18 and 65, without dependents, and who are not working is in effect. There are some exceptions. Each state has their own plan available at the USDA waiver list.
- D-SNAP: Disaster SNAP benefits are available for low-income families who experienced food loss after a natural disaster. Check the USDA list for areas currently eligible for D-SNAP.
- SNAP Replacement benefits: SNAP recipients who have a household misfortune that caused food loss, like a fire, flood or loss of electricity for 4 hours or more, or equipment failure, may be able to request replacement benefits. SNAP recipients need to report the food loss within 10 days to the state agency managing SNAP and often need to complete a specific form. Check with the local state human services agency for specific rules and requirements or visit the USDA for more information.
- Summer EBT: Many states participate in SUN Bucks, which provides $120 per eligible school-age child during the summer. A list of participating states and information on enrolling is available here. The USDA offers summer nutritional programs that are often administered by schools.
- Special Supplemental Nutrition for Women, Infants and Children (WIC): Parents and caregivers can apply for benefits through their local WIC office. Use this USDA pre-screening tool to help determine if a household is eligible. Care teams can help people struggling with the nationwide infant formula shortage by connecting them with community resources.
- School Lunch: Students qualify for free lunch if their household gets food assistance (SNAP), financial assistance (TANF), or tribal assistance (FDPIR) by meeting the requirements for their state’s National School Lunch Program; or by attending a school that is covered by the Community Eligibility Provision.
- Summer Nutrition for Students: The USDA Meals for Kids Site Finder can help care teams locate food resources for children age 18 and under. Check with local school departments for more information.
- Nutrition: People can find updated dietary guidelines, shopping guides, and recipes at myplate.gov.
Financial Assistance
- Social Security: The SSA now exclusively uses electronic payments and will no longer issue benefit payments through paper checks. Beneficiaries who receive paper checks can update their payment information on my Social Security.
- Social Security Numbers: See if your social security number was exposed during the National Public Data hack in 2024 through personal security firm Pentester’s online database. If your information was compromised, check your credit reports, report suspicious transactions, consider credit freezes, and closely monitor your financial accounts.
- Social Security Disability Income (SSDI): SSA will now withhold up to 50% of benefits from recipients who received overpayments in the past. Recipients have 90 days to appeal SSA’s overpayment claims and can also request a waiver or different repayment rate. General information about benefits and information about SSDI non-citizen recipients who leave the US.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Starting in September 2024, the SSA expanded its definition of a “public assistance household” to include households receiving SNAP.
- Taxes: The IRS offers two free tax preparation services: the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. VITA/TCE site locator tool here.
- ITIN: People without a social security number can request an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to file Federal income taxes. The Department of Homeland Security has recently requested ITIN data from the IRS; individuals may wish to consult with an immigration lawyer prior to requesting an ITIN or filing taxes.
- Credit: Free credit reports are available online weekly at www.annualcreditreport.com.
- Internet: The Affordable Connectivity Program has ended. Households can consider alternative reduced phone and Internet programs, like Lifeline. The FCC offers materials about the end of ACP in multiple languages.
Unlocking Access® Resources for Care Teams
There are many ways care teams can support people with food and income security-related needs. For more specific legal information and strategies, care team members who have access to Legal Key’s Unlocking Access® Hub should log in.
If you are a Legal Key partner who does not have their login information, or you’d like to learn more about how to gain access to the Unlocking Access® Hub, get in touch with us!
Spotlight on Data Sharing
Many immigrants who are considering applying for public benefits are concerned about their personal information being shared with the Department of Homeland Security. Families should balance the benefits of applying with the potential risks.
- If the Department of Homeland Security already has a family’s address, applying for public benefits is likely to be low risk to that family’s safety.
- If a family already receives benefits, and they have not moved, there is no added risk in continuing to receive those benefits.
People who are concerned about receiving benefits can review this resource from Protecting Immigrant Families (available in multiple languages).