America Works Act of 2025

This bill changes who must meet work rules to keep receiving SNAP (food assistance). It expands those rules to cover more able-bodied adults without dependents and narrows who can be excused. It also makes it harder for states to pause these rules unless a county’s unemployment rate is very high. These changes mean more adults will need to work, train, or meet similar requirements to stay on SNAP.

Key points

• Who is affected: Able-bodied adults without dependents on SNAP. The work rules would now apply up to age 65 (not just up to 55), unless the person is medically unfit or pregnant.
• Parent exemption: A parent or caregiver is excused only if caring for a child under age 7 (down from under 18) .
• Other exemptions removed: Current excuses for homeless individuals, veterans, and some former foster youth would be eliminated.
• State waivers tightened: A state could get a waiver only if the county’s unemployment rate is over 10%. The option to waive rules because an area lacks enough jobs would be removed, and the decision is tied to county data, not broader areas .

In everyday terms, more adults on SNAP would need to work or be in training to keep benefits. Fewer people would qualify for an exemption, and states would have less flexibility to pause these rules during tough job markets unless county unemployment is extremely high.