Overview
- Federal officials did not apply the new work requirements in November, with the three‑month time limit for noncompliance beginning in December.
- The law broadens coverage to adults ages 55 to 64 and limits the caregiver exemption to those with children younger than 14.
- Exemptions are revoked for people experiencing homelessness, veterans, and some former foster youth, and states face tighter limits on waivers in weak job markets.
- CBPP, using CBO data, estimates roughly 4 million people could lose or see reduced benefits, while CBO projects 2.4 million fewer average monthly recipients over the next decade.
- USDA ordered states to update eligibility systems—some by November 1—and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins questioned program integrity as officials pointed to existing recertification requirements.