By Mo Al-Ebadi
OMAHA, Neb. — New federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are now being implemented in Nebraska, expanding work requirements and removing exemptions for some groups.
Beginning in October 2025, adults up to age 64 are required to work, train or volunteer at least 20 hours per week to maintain SNAP benefits. The changes also remove previous exemptions for veterans and young adults who are aged out of foster care.
At Food Bank for the Heartland, Government Affairs Officer Tim Williams said SNAP plays a critical role in addressing food insecurity.
“For every meal a food bank can provide, SNAP can provide the equivalent of nine,” Williams said.
Williams said the new requirements could create additional challenges for some individuals, particularly those already struggling to find or maintain stable employment.
“It can be very difficult to find a job, and then to keep your benefits, you have to prove that you’re working,” Williams said. “That can be very burdensome for people.”
As Nebraska continues eligibility reviews through 2026, organizations that provide food assistance say those requirements may be difficult for people already working to meet basic needs.
At New Visions Homeless Services, Program Officer Willie Austin works with veterans experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.
“If we don’t address their safety and food security, they cannot be themselves or cannot be whole,” Austin said.
Austin said barriers such as transportation and housing instability can make it harder for individuals to meet work requirements tied to benefits.
Meanwhile, a new bill in the Nebraska Legislature, LB734, aims to restore SNAP exemptions for veterans, people experiencing homelessness and young adults aging out of foster care.
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