LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- New work requirements are in place for Kentuckians who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
About 590,000, or roughly 13%, Kentuckians receive the benefits, commonly referred to as food stamps.
But as of Feb. 1, new work requirements are in place. The changes stem from the Big Beautiful Bill, signed into law in July 2025 by President Donald Trump.
The tax and spending bill expanded requirements for many adult SNAP recipients to work, volunteer or participate in job training for at least 80 hours a month. Those who don't are limited to three months of benefits in a three-year period.
The new rules apply to adults ages 18 to 64, without dependents under the age of 14.
Qualifying work includes working for pay, whether self-employed or employed by a company or business; participating in job training or education programs; volunteering at a qualified nonprofit or public institution.
SNAP recipients will also need to recertify their eligibility for benefits every six to 12 months.
The work requirements previously applied to adults ages 18 through 54 who are physically and mentally able to work and don't have dependents under the age of 18. The new law applies those requirements to those ages 55 to 64, and to parents without children younger than 14.
It repeals work exemptions for homeless individuals, veterans and young adults aging out of foster care. It also limits the ability of states to waive work requirements in areas lacking jobs.
These changes come as two bills work their way through the Kentucky legislature that would protect SNAP benefits in case they are stopped or delayed by the federal government.
On Jan. 29, House Bill 522 was filed by Rep. Anne Gay Donworth, D-Fayette, and Senate Bill 135 was filed by Louisville Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong, D-Jefferson.
The legislation would allow the governor to "authorize limited use of moneys in the budget reserve trust fund" to allow SNAP to continue should it lapse. It would also require that funding to be repaid within 90 days of federal appropriations being restored.
In his seventh State of the Commonwealth address earlier this month, Gov. Andy Beshear outlined his budget proposal as lawmakers begin work on a new two-year state budget.
One proposal addresses cuts to SNAP benefits for 114,000 Kentuckians by President Donald Trump's administration. Beshear's budget would provide $50 million to help food banks across the state.
The federal food program serves about 42 million people, about 1 in 8 Americans, in lower-income households. They receive an average of around $190 monthly per person, though that doesn't necessarily cover the full cost of groceries for a regular month.
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