WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (October 24, 2025) — Federal changes to eligibility rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, take effect Nov. 1, 2025, potentially requiring more recipients to meet work requirements or risk losing benefits.
The Westchester County Department of Social Services launched the “Protect Your SNAP” campaign this week to inform affected residents and ensure they remain eligible. The initiative targets older adults and parents of young children through press releases, social media, community outreach and direct letters to SNAP households.
Under the updated rules, able-bodied adults without dependents, or ABAWDs, now face work requirements up to age 64, expanded from the previous limit of 54. The exemption for households with children under 18 has narrowed to those with children younger than 14. Previously exempt groups, including veterans, homeless individuals and current or former foster youth ages 18-24, must now comply.
Those classified as ABAWDs — individuals ages 18-64 not living with a child under 14 and able to work — must log at least 80 hours per month in paid or unpaid work, approved job training or community service to receive SNAP beyond three months in a three-year period. The current three-year window runs from Oct. 1, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2026.
Exemptions remain for those under 18 or 65 and older, pregnant individuals, people with disabilities, those caring for children under 6 or incapacitated persons, and participants in programs like unemployment insurance or drug treatment. General SNAP work rules, applying to ages 16-59, require accepting job offers, not quitting without good cause and reporting employment details.
The county’s Office of Work Activities links recipients to jobs, training and SNAP Employment & Training, or SNAP E&T, programs. Participants in SNAP E&T may engage in up to 30 hours weekly of supervised job search, skills training or work experience, with districts covering costs like transportation and childcare.
County Executive Ken Jenkins emphasized the urgency. “We are closely following these changes to SNAP made by the federal government,” Jenkins said. “We want to make sure that people in need in Westchester don’t go hungry. That’s why we’re reaching out every way we can to get the message out. It’s crucially important that everyone impacted reach out to us now to make sure they remain eligible.”
Department of Social Services Commissioner Leonard Townes urged prompt action on notices.
“If you are a SNAP recipient today and you get a letter from us including an appointment time and date for you to meet with a member of our staff, please read this letter, attend this appointment or call the number in the letter to schedule a more appropriate time,” Townes said. “We want to make sure you are in compliance so that you are able to keep food on the table. Also, if you have previously been in an exempt category or believe you have a good-cause exemption, we need to be able to evaluate that. Don’t put things off or disregard the notice as just another government mailer. Time is of the essence, and we are here to help you navigate the changes.”
Noncompliance without good cause — such as illness or emergencies — could trigger benefit reductions or losses, starting with a one-month sanction for first offenses, escalating to three and six months. Households can regain eligibility by meeting requirements or proving exemptions.
More details on SNAP work rules are available on the Westchester County Department of Social Services website and the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance site.
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.
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