(LANSING) - Michigan residents who receive food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are facing stricter eligibility rules as long-standing waivers expire and new federal mandates take effect.
Under changes tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, able-bodied adults ages 18 to 64 without children under 14 must now work, volunteer, or participate in approved job training for at least 80 hours per month to remain eligible for SNAP benefits.
The requirements took effect statewide two months ago and eliminate previous exemptions for veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and former foster youth. State officials estimate the changes affect roughly 1.4 million Michiganders.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is managing the transition as recipients face a three-month time limit on benefits if they fail to meet the new work standards.
Temporary waivers remain in place for 15 northern Michigan counties and six cities, including Detroit and Flint, due to high unemployment rates. However, advocacy groups warn that as many as 123,000 people statewide could eventually lose access to food assistance.
State officials are also preparing for higher administrative costs. Projections show Michigan may soon be responsible for 75% of SNAP staffing and outreach expenses, totaling nearly $100 million per year.
The changes mark one of the most significant shifts to Michigan's SNAP program in years, as the state balances federal compliance with concerns about access to food assistance for vulnerable residents.