Pacific Index

Work activity requirements resume, affecting some college students access to SNAP

Many students across America rely on the government for access to proper food and medical insurance; programs which faced changes on September 1.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Oregon’s Medicaid, the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) have been increasingly affected by these federal budget changes. The Big Beautiful Bill, approved in July, now requires states to be responsible for more costs related to SNAP, as well as expanding the work requirements needed to actually qualify for the program. 

SNAP assists people who meet the income guidelines and sends them “food stamps,” which provides money to help pay for groceries. OHP provides medical insurance for those who cannot afford it. How much aid you receive depends on the size of the household and the household income, which varies according to other factors. 

With the recent changes, Oregon now resumes certain work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWD) to qualify for both SNAP and OHP, affecting adults aged 18 to 54 who don’t have children. Six counties in Oregon, including Washington County (where Pacific University is located), are reinstating the 80 hours of work activities per month requirement to be eligible for food assistance. Work activities include paid employment as well as unpaid employment, such as volunteering. Thankfully, college students may still qualify for SNAP benefits depending on if they fit certain exemptions. 

If a student works more than 20 hours per week–including internships–or participates in a federal or state work study program, then they are exempt from the 80 hours of work activities a month. Unfortunately, if a student’s meal plan pays for over half of their meals, they are completely ineligible for SNAP. 

Despite the changes that are taking effect, students should still apply for and use the benefits and services they qualify for. The bulk of changes will not go through until 2026 and there have been no layoffs or large-scale cuts to services. Even if students do not apply for SNAP benefits, there are still many resources out there to assist with food, such as local food banks and the Boxer Food Share.