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New SNAP Rules Begin March 1 for 10,000 Rhode Islanders, Millions Nationwide
Upwards of 10,000 Rhode Islanders are expected to be impacted by changes set to take effect on March 1, 2026, including thousands projected to lose eligibility entirely
Anticipated changes and new rules to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program are expected to take effect Sunday, March 1, 2026.
The revisions to SNAP benefits include reducing eligibility based on immigration status. Under the changes, non-citizens who were previously eligible, including refugees, asylees, and victims of trafficking, could lose access to SNAP benefits – unless they qualify under narrower categories.
Nationwide Changes
All states, including Rhode Island, are required to implement the federal changes to SNAP eligibility for non-citizens.
New applicants as well as current households already receiving SNAP may be impacted by this federal change. In order to meet the immigration-related eligibility requirements, applicants must live in the United States and fall into one of the following categories when applying:
- U.S. Citizen or National
- Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) w/5-years of residency *
- Cuban and Haitian entrant (CHE)
- Compacts of Free Association (COFA) citizen
Customers whose DHS records do not reflect one of the immigration statuses listed above will be required to submit updated documents or proof of a qualifying non-citizen status in order to continue receiving SNAP.
* Some lawful permanent residents may qualify without a waiting period if they meet specific federal exceptions. Exemptions may apply based on disability, work history, or other qualifying exemption. Additional information regarding exemptions is listed below.
Who May Be Most Impacted
The new federal changes narrow SNAP eligibility for non-citizens. This means certain non-citizen individuals who were previously eligible for SNAP may no longer qualify unless they fall into one of the categories listed above. Under the new rules, people who were granted asylum or refugee status –regardless of age— are no longer eligible for SNAP unless their status has changed to one of the newly defined eligible non-citizen groups.
The below list of non-citizen statuses were previously immediately eligible for SNAP but under the change from HR1 are no longer eligible based on that status alone:
- Refugees
- Individuals granted asylum
- Deportation withheld
- American Indians Born Abroad
- Hmong or Highland Laotian Tribal Members
- Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrants (SIV)
- Certain Afghan Nationals Granted Parole Between July 31, 2021, and Sept. 30, 2023
- Certain Ukrainian Nationals Granted Parole Between Feb. 24, 2022, and Sept. 30, 2024
- Victims of severe trafficking
DHS is federally required to implement these changes to ensure an accurate and efficient issuance of benefits.
Individuals who convert to a lawful permanent resident status from one of the following categories are not subject to the five-year waiting period:
Additionally, lawful permanent residents are not subject to the five-year waiting period, regardless of prior immigration status, if they: are under 18 years old; are blind or disabled; were lawfully residing in the U.S. and are 65 or older on Aug. 22, 1996; or have a U.S. military connection.
What You Can Do
If you are a non-citizen receiving SNAP or planning to apply:
- Make sure DHS has your most up-to-date immigration information;
- Submit requested documents showing proof of eligible non-citizen status as soon as possible to help ensure continuity of benefits;
- Respond to DHS notices promptly, especially at renewal.
The DHS Customer Portal (healthyrhode.ri.gov) and HealthyRhode Mobile App remain the most efficient way to update your case. Customers may also submit verification documents through the available DHS drop boxes, scanning centers, or in-person at any DHS office.
Work Requirements
Also beginning March 1, you may need to meet new federal work requirements to receive SNAP. New federal ABAWD work requirements* may apply to you if you are age 18-64, do not have young children and are able to work but not working at least 80 hours a month. Please note DHS is extended the start date of this change to March 1 to help ensure customers can prepare for the federal change.
Individuals may be exempt if they are:
- under age 18 or age 65 or older
- already working (volunteering and/or in a work program) at least 80 hours a month
- unable to work due to physical or mental health limitation
- pregnant or have a child under age 14 in the household
- exempt from the general SNAP work requirements (for a reason other than age)*
- Indian, Urban Indian or Californian Indian
___
Work Requirements
As part of the new regulations, you have several options open to you if you are not in an exclusion category for the work requirement. You can enroll in a training program, work part-time, volunteer or attend school or a combination of these to continue to receive your benefits.
Here are some volunteer suggestions:
- United Way of Rhode Island [volunteer.uwri.org]
- ServeRI [teams.microsoft.com]
- Veterans Services
- Office of Healthy Aging
- Stay Covered Rhode Island
- Faith based organizations
- Animal Rescues
- Schools
- Libraries
Contact RI DHS at 1-855-697-4347 with questions or United Way’s 2-1-1 line.
According to The Economic Progress Institute (EPI), there are approximately 2,300 people in Rhode Island who are projected to lose eligibility entirely. In addition, there are some 11,000 U.S.-citizen children in Rhode Island who are enrolled in SNAP with a non-citizen parent or guardian. If the parent/guardian becomes ineligible with the new changes, the household benefit would drop significantly.
Rhode Islanders who experience changes with their SNAP benefits, have questions about the anticipated changes, or who need information or referrals for food assistance, are encouraged to call United Way’s 211. The helpline is free, confidential, available 24/7, 365, and in multiple languages.