Nebraska rolling out new federal requirements for SNAP

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — As a result of new federal requirements, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is rolling out several changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program eligibility requirements.

The required changes listed below will go into effect on Monday:

• Expanded Work Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults – Individuals between ages 18 and 64 (previously 18 to 54) are now subject to the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) work requirements. This means that these SNAP recipients must either work, participate in an employment or training activity, or volunteer in the community at least 20 hours per week or 80 hours per month. There are some exceptions to this requirement that have changed for some individuals:
  • Able-Bodied parents must now meet these work requirements once their youngest child turns 14, rather than 18.
  • Some individuals who were formerly exempt from these work requirements are now subject to them, including veterans, homeless individuals, and young adults who aged out of foster care.
  • Indians, Urban Indians, California Indians, and other Indians who are eligible for Indian Health Services were formerly subject to these work requirements and are now exempt from them.

• LIHEAP Payments – Households receiving a qualifying Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) payment must now contain an elderly or disabled member to have the Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) automatically applied to their case.
  • Households no longer eligible for SUA may be entitled to another utility allowance based on their utility expenses.

• Eligibility for Immigrants – SNAP eligibility has been limited to those who reside in the United States and are: a citizen; lawfully admitted for permanent residence with no intention of abandoning their residence in a foreign country; Cuban and Haitian entrants; or allowed to live and work in the U.S. under the Compacts of Free Association (COFA).
  • Eligibility has been removed for refugees, those granted asylum, and any others not explicitly listed above.

The required changes will go into effect immediately for new applicants, and households with active benefits will be reviewed at their next recertification, when a household member is added, or when other updates are addressed.

Due to the federal government shutdown, DHHS is currently waiting for additional federal guidance on these changes and will provide updates once more information is received.

The department will work to implement these federal requirements as smoothly as possible, according to DHHS.

For those who may lose benefits, other resources are available.

Residents can call 211 or visit 211 Nebraska’s website at https://uwm211.org/nebraska-programs.

211 is a one-stop source of information for people in need of assistance. When reaching out to 211, they’ll assess the situation and then utilize an extensive, up-to-date database to find the best resource(s) to meet needs.

Visit the department’s website and FAQ page for additional information about these changes at https://dhhs.ne.gov/SNAP.