As part of the Trump administration’s sweeping new legislation that reallocates federal spending, the president slashed funding for food assistance.
The cuts will come in stages, but the first round will start just as soon as states start enforcing the new and stricter work requirements for recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. When will that happen? We don’t know. And nor do any of the folks reporter Anastasiia Carrier talked to while reporting on this issue.
Though the new work requirements are now federal law, it’s up to states to enforce them. And Virginia’s Department of Social Services, which will be responsible for that enforcement, has been silent on its plans so far. The agency did not respond to our requests for information.
Virginia is silent on how it will implement federal SNAP changes that expand work requirements and restrict access to folks with certain immigration status
Work requirements have long been part of our nation’s SNAP program. The July 4 tax and spending bill didn’t create them. But it did expand them.
The original requirement was for able-bodied adults 18 to 55 years old were required to work or volunteer at least 80 hours a month (20 hours a week) to qualify for SNAP. And there were various exemptions.
The new legislation bumped the age requirement to 65 and removed several of those exemptions. Children exiting foster care are now immediately required to work to receive benefits, for example. Before, they were exempt until age 24.
We’ll keep following this issue, and let you know when we have word that the requirements are taking effect. In the meantime, we’re interested in hearing from anyone who might be affected by these changes. If that’s you, there are multiple ways you can reach us.
Here is a simple form you can fill out. You can also call (434) 218-3649 and give us as much information as you can in your message. Or reach our newsroom on Signal at @cvilletomorrow.05.
- April 10: Trump orders closure of federal agency supporting libraries — here’s how it will affect central Virginia branches
- May 21: Homeland Security officers train at Albemarle High School practice fields with local police — without permission from school division
- July 24: The federal government cut $64 million in grants at UVA. Here’s what it means for the community
- How Charlottesville Tomorrow is reporting on changes in the federal government
Here’s how you can support a free health clinic — whether or not you are a health care professional
The other major social service safety net the Big Beautiful Bill made cuts to is Medicaid.
We’re still working to understand what these cuts will mean for folks and institutions in central Virginia. News organizations like Virginia Public Media and Axios have reported that the changes could cost medical institutions billions of dollars and push the state’s system of free clinics beyond their limits.
Take action
Here’s how you can help provide health care in central Virginia
Remote Area Medical (RAM), a nonprofit that offers free health clinics, needs volunteers for its clinic in Harrisonburg. General volunteers are needed for Oct. 24-27, which includes the days to set up and assemble the clinic. Volunteers with medical backgrounds are needed for Oct. 25-26, when the clinic will be open for patients. To volunteer or learn more, visit RAM’s volunteer page or call 865-579-1530.
Support for free clinics could become far more important in the coming years. Here’s one that hosts free pop-up medical clinics all over the country is coming to central Virginia — and needs volunteer help.
Thanks for reading, everyone,
Jessie Higgins, Democracy Editor
Event sponsored by
