12/10/2025
On Dec. 1, the U.S. Department of Agriculture began requiring all states to enforce new SNAP provisions that tighten eligibility for able-bodied adults without dependents by removing several long-standing exemptions. The changes come from the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," the federal spending package passed by Congress in July.
Able-bodied people are allowed to receive SNAP benefits for only three months within a three-year period, unless they meet certain work rules or qualify for an exemption. Connecticut previously had exempted people who were younger than 18 or older than 55 from the three-month time limit.
But the new federal rules raise the upper age limit to 64, meaning those between 55 and 64 now have to show they're working at least 80 hours per month or prove they qualify for an exemption.
The law also got rid of exemptions for veterans, people experiencing homelessness, young adults who age out of the foster care system, and residents of 68 towns and cities previously exempted due to high unemployment rates. In addition, the law restricts the exemption for parents, applying only to those with children under age 14, instead of 18.
A federal rewrite of eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program took effect last week.
