The federal budget reconciliation bill, which became law in July 2025, included devastating cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. CLS has created this page to help you understand how you may be impacted and take action to protect your SNAP (food stamps).
You may lose your benefits in December 2025 if work requirements affect you!
Starting September 1, 2025, many adults will need to prove they work 20 hours a week to keep their SNAP. If you cannot prove you are working 20 hours a week, you can only get SNAP for 3 months every 3 years. However, these work rules do not apply to people who meet an exemption.
Learn more about work requirements and how to prove you are exempt here.
Complying with Work Requirements to Keep Your SNAP
The best way to protect your SNAP is to meet an exemption from work requirements. If you are not exempt, you must comply by working, enrolling in a job training program, or volunteering to keep your SNAP.
Learn more about how to comply with work requirements here.
Many immigrants will no longer be eligible for SNAP
On November 1, 2025, many immigrants will no longer be eligible to apply for SNAP. Some green card holders and some people from Cuba or Haiti will still be eligible, but most other non-U.S. Citizens will be ineligible. Pennsylvania has not yet shared when current SNAP recipients who are immigrants will be subject to these new restrictions. If you have a green card or you are a citizen of Cuba or Haiti, tell the County Assistance Office and give them copies of any documentation if you can.
Learn more about new restrictions on immigrant eligibility here.
Medical providers can help patients keep their SNAP.
If your patient has a physical or mental health condition that limits their ability to work, signing the SNAP Medical Exemption Form will help them keep their SNAP. Even if your patient is currently working, this exemption will protect them from losing SNAP if their health declines and they can no longer work, they lose their job, or their work hours decrease.
Access the SNAP Medical Exemption Form and instructions here.
Need legal help?
You can ask for legal help with SNAP appeals. In Philadelphia, come to Community Legal Services at 1410 W. Erie Avenue on Monday or Wednesday from 9-12 or call us at 215-981-3700 on Thursday from 9-12. Check here to find your local legal aid program outside Philadelphia: palegalaid.net/legal-aid-providers-in-pa
No longer eligible for SNAP?
You might be able to get help at your local food cupboard. Check these resources to find out if help is available:
- www.phila.gov/food
- www.feedingpa.org/find-food/local-food-pantries
- www.sharefoodprogram.org/find-food
- www.pa.gov/agencies/pda/food/food-assistance/food-security-in-pennsylvania/food-resources-for-pennsylvanians
SNAP Action Toolkit
You can use CLS’s SNAP Action Toolkit to keep your community informed about changes to SNAP and help eligible people keep food on the table! Our toolkit includes:
- Social Media Graphics
- Informational Flyers
- Copies of Pennsylvania’s Medical Exemption Form and Exemption Screening Tool
- Training Materials from CLS’s webinars
