Lost-benefits triage · 2025–2026 OBBBA cuts

If you were cut from SNAP, here's what to do this week

An estimated 3.5 million people have lost SNAP benefits between September 2025 and the end of state implementation in early 2026 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). This page walks you through the appeals window, emergency food, and alternative programs — in priority order.

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The appeals window — most important

You usually have 90 days to appeal

Under federal SNAP rules (7 CFR § 273.15), every state must give you a fair hearing if you request one within 90 days of the date on your termination notice. A handful of states (CA, NY, MA, OH among them) give you longer — check your state SNAP page.

If you request a hearing within 10 days of the notice

You can ask for "continued benefits" — your SNAP keeps coming at the previous amount until the hearing decision. If you lose the hearing, you typically owe the state for the months of continued benefits, but most households take this option because the food security matters more than the repayment risk.

If 10–90 days have passed

You can still appeal, but no continued benefits — you'd have to wait for the hearing decision before any benefits resume. Hearings are typically scheduled within 60 days of the request and decisions issued within 60 days of the hearing.

If more than 90 days have passed

The appeals window is closed for the original termination. You can still reapply from scratch — and should, if your situation has changed (lost a job, new dependents, new medical bills, etc.). A fresh application is treated independently.

How to actually file

  • Online: Most state SNAP portals have a "Request a fair hearing" link in the case management section.
  • By phone: Call your state SNAP office (find your state on the state page).
  • In writing: A letter to your local SNAP office stating "I request a fair hearing about my SNAP termination dated [date]" is enough. Mail certified for proof of date.

You don't need a lawyer for a fair hearing. Free help is available from Legal Services Corporation grantees in every state.

Emergency food this week

Food banks and pantries don't require SNAP eligibility

Federal- and state-funded food banks (Feeding America network, The Emergency Food Assistance Program / TEFAP, plus thousands of local pantries) serve anyone in need, no application required. You don't have to prove income, residency, or anything — most pantries operate on a "client choice" model where you show up and pick what your household needs.

Find a pantry in 60 seconds

  • Feeding America food-bank finder — enter your ZIP, get the nearest food bank's contact + a list of partner pantries.
  • Call 211 — United Way's free 24/7 information line. Tell them you need emergency food; they'll route you to the closest open pantry and tell you what hours/days they distribute.
  • Schools — if you have school-age kids, most districts run a backpack program (Friday food bag to take home) and summer feeding sites. Ask the school front office.
  • Faith-based pantries — most churches, mosques, and synagogues run or partner with a pantry. You don't have to be a member.

If you need cooked meals today

  • Community meal sites — soup kitchens and community meal programs serve free hot meals daily. 211 has the list for your area.
  • Senior centers — anyone 60+ qualifies for congregate meals or Meals on Wheels; no income test for the federally funded portion.
  • WIC — if you're pregnant, postpartum, or have kids under 5, WIC food packages are immediate and substantial. See the other-benefits page.
Alternative programs

What else might help

If you have school-age children

National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) — free or reduced-price meals at school. Households at or below 130% FPL qualify free; up to 185% FPL qualify reduced-price. SNAP termination doesn't end school-meal eligibility — fill out the school application directly. Many districts in high-poverty areas qualify all students free under the Community Eligibility Provision.

If you're 60 or older

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) — coupons for fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs, and honey at participating farmers markets. Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) — monthly food box (cheese, juice, cereal, canned protein) for seniors 60+ at or below 130% FPL. Both are independent of SNAP.

If you're a veteran or active military

VA emergency food assistance through Vet Centers and VA homelessness coordinators. Operation Homefront and USA Cares provide grocery gift cards for active-duty families. National Guard and Reserve families qualify for most military-only food programs even when not in active status.

If you're disabled or have a long-term health condition

The ABAWD work requirement that drove most OBBBA terminations has a medical exemption. If a doctor certifies you can't work, you're exempt from the work requirement permanently. Submit a doctor's letter with your reapplication. See the state page for the exact form name in your state.

All six adjacent benefits

Medicaid, WIC, Lifeline (phone/internet), LIHEAP (heating/cooling), school meals, and Benefits.gov screening for 1,000+ programs — all detailed on the other benefits page.

Was the termination wrong? Reapply or appeal

If the cut shouldn't have happened

ABAWD work requirement — most common wrongful termination

OBBBA expanded the ABAWD age range from 18–54 to 18–64 and removed the parents-of-7-to-17 exemption (now only parents of children under 14 qualify). If you were terminated for "failing to meet the work requirement" and any of the below apply, you likely have a winnable appeal:

  • You were a caretaker of a child under age 14 at the time of termination
  • You were physically or mentally unable to work (doctor's note available)
  • You were pregnant
  • You were working 80+ hours per month (gig work, multiple part-time jobs all count — bring pay stubs or app earnings screenshots)
  • You lived in a county the state had a USDA-approved waiver for during the relevant months
  • You were a student enrolled at least half-time
  • You were caring for an incapacitated adult household member
  • You were participating in an approved work or training program (E&T, vocational rehab, WIOA, etc.)

Income recalculation

If you were terminated for "income over limit," verify the state used the right gross-income threshold. Check your state's threshold on the state page. Common errors: forgetting to subtract deductible expenses (child care, child support paid, shelter over 50% of net income), counting a one-time bonus as monthly income, or applying the federal default 130% FPL when your state actually uses a higher BBCE threshold (165%, 185%, or 200%).

Recertification errors

If you missed a recertification deadline because the notice didn't reach you (moved without the state updating your address, mail held during a hospitalization, etc.), you can usually get reinstated without a fresh application if you contact the office within 30 days of the missed deadline. Beyond 30 days, you reapply but can ask the worker to backdate to the original certification end date.

Get expert help

Where to get free legal help with an appeal

You don't need a lawyer for a fair hearing, but if your situation is complicated (immigration status, joint household disputes, drug-felony eligibility under your state's rules, prior overpayment claims), free legal aid is available everywhere.

  • Legal Services Corporation — federal grant-funded; serves every state. Most LSC grantees have SNAP appeal experience.
  • Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) — national policy + state-level legal-aid contacts.
  • LawHelp.org — state-by-state legal aid directories.
  • Law school clinics — many law schools run public-benefits clinics that take SNAP cases at no cost.
  • 211 — for emergency legal-aid referrals in your area.
Sources

Where this comes from

Last reviewed: 2026-05-31. We update this page as states finalize their OBBBA implementation timelines.