By Second District · Published August 26, 2026 · Updated September 2, 2026
Quick answer
Public Law 119-21 expanded SNAP’s additional work rules to more adults, including older adults up to age 65 and some parents whose youngest child is 14 or older. It also narrowed waiver authority and changed state cost responsibilities. These rules are not a universal work requirement for every SNAP household.
What changed
The Congressional Research Service summary says the law raises the upper age for the additional time-limit rules from 55 to 65. It also applies those rules to more parents and household members when the youngest child is 14 or older.
The law removed status-based exemptions for some people experiencing homelessness, veterans and certain former foster youth, while maintaining other exemptions. It also narrowed when states may request waivers and shifted a larger share of administrative costs to states.
What the rule actually asks for
In plain English, some adults can receive SNAP for only a limited number of months unless they document enough work, training or another qualifying activity—or show that an exemption applies. Losing benefits because paperwork is incomplete is not the same as a finding that someone has enough food.
What Kiggans did
Kiggans voted for the final reconciliation law. Her public statement described the changes as targeted work requirements for able-bodied adults and said the bill would keep SNAP strong for people who need it.
How to watch the Virginia effect
Virginia’s Department of Social Services publishes monthly reports showing approved SNAP households and the number of people receiving help. Those reports can show participation trends, but a decline alone does not explain why participation changed. Policy, employment, income, migration and administrative processing can all affect the total.
Sources
- H.R. 1 — Public Law 119-21 — Congress.gov / Congressional Research Service. Official summary of SNAP work, waiver and state-cost provisions.
- Estimated Effects of Public Law 119-21 on SNAP Participation — Congressional Budget Office. CBO projection of participation changes under the enacted law.
- SNAP Participation Reports — Virginia Department of Social Services. Official Virginia participation counts for monitoring observed trends.