Starting October 1, 2025, the federal government updated the rules for SNAP (food stamps) for the 2026 fiscal year. These changes come from a new law called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025. If you’re homeless or struggling financially in Arizona, here’s what you need to know and how it affects you directly.
🛒 What’s Changing and Why It Matters to You
- 💵** More Money for Food**: If you qualify, you could get up to $994 a month for a family of four. Even if you’re single, the minimum benefit went up to $24.
- 🏠** Higher Shelter Deductions**: If you’re staying in a shelter, you can now claim $198.99 to help calculate your benefits. This means you might get more help.
- 📉** Standard Deduction**: Everyone gets a basic deduction when applying. That amount is now $209 for smaller households.
- 💰** Asset Limits**: You can still qualify for SNAP even if you have up to $3,000 in savings (or $4,500 if you’re elderly or disabled).
📜 What’s New in the Law
- 🧺** Food Budget Rules**: The government won’t raise the cost of the food plan used to figure out SNAP benefits until at least October 2027.
- 👷** Work Rules**: If you’re between 18–54 and don’t have kids, you may need to meet work requirements. This means you must either:
- Work
- Volunteer
- Participate in a job training program
for at least 80 hours per month to keep getting SNAP.
🚫 Exceptions to Work Rules
- If you’re homeless and facing barriers like:
- Lack of transportation
- Mental health challenges
- Unstable housing
- You may qualify for an exemption.
- States can waive these rules in areas with high unemployment.
- Case managers can help you apply for exemptions or find qualifying programs.
- 📶** No Internet Deduction**: You can’t count internet bills as part of your shelter expenses anymore.
✅ Examples of Programs That Meet Work Requirements
To meet the 80-hour monthly work requirement, you can:
- 💼** Work for pay or volunteer** (including unpaid work or work for goods/services)
- 📚** Participate in SNAP Employment & Training (E&T)** programs
- 🧹** Join a workfare program** assigned by your state SNAP agency
- 🛠️** Enroll in job training or workforce development programs**
Programs that qualify include:
- Arizona@Work job training and placement
- DES SNAP E&T services
- Community service or volunteer work through nonprofits like AZFH
- GED or adult education programs (if at least half-time)
📝 How to Apply for a Work Exemption
You may be exempt from work requirements if:
- You’re unable to work due to a physical or mental health condition
- You’re regularly participating in a drug or alcohol treatment program
- You’re caring for a child under 6 or an incapacitated person
- You’re already working 30+ hours/week or earning minimum wage equivalent
To apply for an exemption:
- 🗣️** Talk to your case manager** or outreach worker
- 📄** Provide documentation** (e.g., medical records, shelter verification, program enrollment)
- 🌐** Submit exemption request** through your local DES office or online at https://www.healthearizonaplus.gov
🧭 What AZFH Clients Should Do
AZFH is a mobile outreach group, so we don’t have a building you can use as your address. But you still have options:
- 🏚️** Use a shelter address** if you’re staying somewhere temporarily.
- 🧑💼** Ask a case manager or outreach worker** to help you find documents that prove where you are.
- 🖥️** Apply online or at a DES office**: Go to https://www\.healthearizonaplus\.gov to apply.
Even if you don’t have a home, you can still get help with food. These new rules might mean more money for groceries and better support while you get back on your feet.