Arkansas is the most food insecure state in the nation, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps) is the most powerful anti-hunger program we have. SNAP helps more than 240,000 Arkansans put food on the table. However, as a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1), this critical food assistance program is becoming more difficult to access for some of our neighbors.

Beginning in November 2025, adults ages 55-64 and parents whose children are all 14 years of age and older had to meet SNAP work requirements. This means they must spend at least 80 hours each month working, volunteering, or participating in an employment and training program, unless they qualify for a work requirement exemption. If they do not meet the work requirements or qualify for an exemption, they are only able to access SNAP benefits for three months within a prescribed three-year period. This is sometimes called the Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) — though this term is now inaccurate since adults who have dependent children ages 14-17 are now subject to the work requirement and associated time limits, unless they also have younger children in the household. In addition, whereas veterans, unhoused individuals, and youth aging out of foster care were previously exempt from work requirements and the related time limits, H.R. 1 removed that exemption.[i]

Other H.R. 1 changes that Arkansans may soon start experiencing include changes to automatic eligibility for the Standard Utility Allowance for certain populations. The Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) is a fixed deduction that helps low-income families stay within the restrictive SNAP income requirements. It provides an alternative to beneficiaries reporting actual monthly energy expenditures, which simplifies the benefit determinations process and ensures equitable assistance levels. Prior to November 1, if a family received more than $20 in energy assistance, such as Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program benefits, they automatically qualified for the SUA deduction. But effective November 1, 2025, H.R. 1 limits automatic eligibility for the SUA deduction based on receipt of energy assistance to seniors and individuals with disabilities. Other adults are still eligible for the SUA deduction. However, they must now provide documentation demonstrating that their energy costs exceed the energy assistance benefit amount to qualify for the SUA deduction, which creates additional hoops to jump through for families who may already be struggling.

Why are we talking about this now when these new H.R. 1 requirements went into effect several months ago? Some of the individuals who fall into the categories described above whose SNAP recertification may have recently occurred may have already lost or will soon lose their SNAP benefits if they have not come into compliance with the work requirements or have not met another SNAP exemption.

If you or someone you know have recently lost SNAP benefits and you think you may still qualify or simply have questions, here are a couple of resources:

• If you fall into one of these categories and have a good reason for not meeting the work requirements or following the time limit rules such as getting sick or not having transportation, call your local Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) county office as soon as possible to discuss your specific circumstances. There may also be other examples of good reasons for not meeting the work requirements or following the time limit rules. If DHS determines that you have a good reason, there will be no change to your SNAP benefits.
• The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance manages the AR SNAP Call Center. This call center can help you apply and recertify for SNAP benefits and ensure that you receive the full amount of SNAP benefits for which your household qualifies. This resource may be especially helpful in navigating the recently expanded SNAP work requirements and changes to eligibility for the SUA deduction. You can reach the AR SNAP Call Center at 833-762-7275 on Mondays and Fridays from 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. as well as Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10:00a.m.-3:00 p.m. A Spanish-speaking operator is available.

Consistent access to nutritious food is essential for the health and well-being of children and adults alike. Don’t let confusion around recent federal changes unnecessarily limit SNAP benefits for which you or your neighbors are eligible. Ask questions and seek help from DHS and the AR SNAP Call Center as needed to make sure our communities have the resources they need to thrive.

[i] An exception to this rule: SNAP recipients who have exhausted their three months of SNAP benefits during the current three-year time period but are no longer meeting the Time Limit Rules can regain SNAP eligibility for an additional three months one time during the same three-year period by working 80 hours in 30 consecutive days.