An estimated 44,700 Nevadans are projected to lose access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to changes enacted under H.R. 1, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The law significantly expands federal SNAP work requirements, eliminates longstanding exemptions for vulnerable populations, narrows eligibility for certain noncitizens, and increases administrative cost burdens on states.

For Nevada — particularly rural counties — these changes risk increasing food insecurity without demonstrably increasing employment.

Expanded Work Requirements (Ages 55–64)

Under prior federal law, SNAP work rules applied to “able-bodied adults without dependents” (ABAWDs) ages 18–54.

H.R. 1 expands the upper age limit to 64.

Adults ages 55–64 must now document:

• At least 80 hours per month (20 hours/week) of:
  • Paid employment
  • Approved job training
  • Volunteer service
  • Certain qualifying self-employment

Failure to comply limits benefits to three months within a three-year period.

2. Elimination of Automatic Exemptions

The law removes work requirement exemptions for:

• Veterans
• Individuals experiencing homelessness
• Young adults who aged out of foster care
• Parents once their youngest child turns 14

Parents of teens (14–17) must now meet work rules.

3. Narrowed Definition of “Able-Bodied

Under SNAP regulations, “able-bodied” means physically and mentally capable of work and not qualifying for a specific exemption.

Individuals with chronic health conditions may still be classified as able-bodied unless they can provide formal documentation of disability.

This creates risk for:

• Older adults with untreated medical conditions
• Individuals lacking access to healthcare documentation
• People with mental health conditions not formally diagnosed

4. Stricter Waiver Standards for High-Unemployment Areas

Previously, states could request waivers for regions with limited job availability.

Under H.R. 1:

• Geographic waivers are only permitted in areas with unemployment rates above 10%.

This threshold is substantially higher than unemployment in many rural Nevada counties — even where job availability is extremely limited.

Nevada Impact

Estimated Loss of Benefits

• Approximately 44,700 Nevadans are expected to lose SNAP access.

Rural Disparities

• Esmeralda County
• Nye County

These counties experience some of the highest food insecurity rates in the state.

Rural barriers include:

• Limited job availability
• Long travel distances
• Lack of public transportation
• Seasonal or informal employment

The 10% unemployment waiver threshold makes relief unlikely for many rural communities.

Additional Changes

Noncitizen Eligibility

Certain noncitizens, including some refugees and asylum-status individuals, are no longer eligible for SNAP benefits.

Increased State Fiscal Burden

H.R. 1:

• Increases required state contributions for SNAP administrative costs.
• May require states to share in benefit costs if error rates exceed federal thresholds.

This creates new fiscal pressure on Nevada’s budget.

Who Is Most Affected

• Adults ages 55–64 without dependents
• Veterans
• Individuals experiencing homelessness
• Former foster youth
• Parents of teenagers (14–17)
• Older adults with chronic conditions lacking documentation
• Certain noncitizens with humanitarian status

Evidence from previous SNAP work requirement expansions suggests:

• Many individuals lose benefits due to paperwork or reporting barriers.
• Employment outcomes do not significantly increase.
• Food banks and charitable systems experience increased strain.

Expanded work requirements without expanded job access function primarily as benefit reductions.

Food security is not solely an economic issue — it is a matter of human dignity.

Hunger policy raises critical questions:

• What is society’s responsibility to older adults nearing retirement?
• How do we support rural communities with limited infrastructure?
• Should access to food depend on documentation capacity?
• How do public systems reflect shared moral commitments to care for neighbor?

LEAN urges policymakers to:

1. Monitor and publicly report Nevada’s SNAP loss data.
2. Invest in rural workforce infrastructure before enforcing expanded work rules.
3. Ensure disability documentation processes are accessible.
4. Strengthen partnerships with food banks and local organizations.
5. Advocate federally for reconsideration of expanded age requirements and waiver thresholds.

The changes enacted under H.R. 1 represent one of the most significant restrictions to SNAP eligibility in recent years.

In Nevada, the consequences will be felt most acutely by older adults, rural communities, and those already navigating economic instability.

Food assistance is not merely a budget line item. It is a stabilizing force for families, seniors, veterans, and communities across our state.