Staff Report / August 20, 2025
Yates County officials say recent federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will create added burdens for both recipients and administrators. The changes affect “Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents” (ABAWDs), who will now be required to verify at least 20 hours of work or participation in work activities each week in order to qualify for benefits.
Social Services Commissioner Amy Miller noted that most SNAP recipients in Yates County are already working families or seniors, who were previously exempt from these requirements under a federal waiver. With that waiver now eliminated by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Miller said clients will have to provide monthly documentation of their work activity, and county staff will be tasked with increased monitoring. “With the withdrawal of federal funding from SNAP administration, this will become an unfunded mandate,” Miller said.
In addition to new reporting rules, the federal government has raised the exemption age for ABAWDs from 60 to 65, further expanding the number of individuals subject to these requirements. Local officials warn the changes could place additional strain on households already facing financial hardship, while also stretching the resources of county agencies tasked with overseeing compliance.
For detailed information, see https://www.yatescountyny.gov/317/Social-Services, https://snapedny.org, or https://otda.ny.gov/programs/apply/#snap.
