Some low-income households receiving SNAP benefits already face certain work requirements to keep their assistance. But come November, those requirements are expanding under new federal rules. So what could that mean here at home? KUAM News spoke with one local public health expert to find out. 

Come November 1, those subject to the able-bodied adults without dependents, or ABAWD, time limit will need to meet new work requirements to keep their SNAP benefits for more than three months in a three-year period. The updated rules follow the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which expands the age range from 18 to 64 — previously capped at 54 — and now requires proof of at least 80 hours of work, volunteer service, or participation in an education program each month to qualify for food assistance.

Christine San Nicolas, human services program administrator for the Bureau of Economic Security's Division of Public Welfare, said, “Back in 2023, the Fiscal Responsibility Act did include homeless, veterans, and of course, individuals aged 24 or younger who were in foster care on their 18th birthday; those were exemptions prior to that. Now, with the new bill, those who are homeless veterans are no longer exempt. They will be subject to the same work requirements.”

So, what impact does this have on the island’s ABAWD population — estimated between 500 and 1,000 individuals? San Nicolas said, “We still have a waiver up until February 2026; we have not been told or informed that that is going to change, but again, anything can change from now until February.”

She says the waiver was supported by data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which took into account the island’s unemployment rate and the number of insufficient jobs. And work is already underway to support those who may be impacted if the waiver is not renewed. “Even though we have an ABAWD waiver. We have to always have a plan. If the feds don’t approve it, then of course we have to have a backup plan. So, how are we going to get our people in our SNAP program to meet these requirements?” she said.

In the meantime, San Nicolas says they are bracing for any potential impacts.