RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – It has been one week since new changes to SNAP benefits went into effect, stemming from President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which was passed by the Republican-controlled Congress last year. The law imposes stricter work requirements on SNAP recipients.
Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada said it has seen an increase in people coming to its food pantry for help with food insecurity or to find out more information about SNAP benefits. The organization said it is helping families figure out the new requirements.
What changed Oct. 1
As of Oct. 1, there are stricter work requirements on SNAP recipients. The age limit for able-bodied adults without dependents is now 64, up from 54.
The federal government is also shifting the cost of running the programs to states. Individual states will now pay 75% of the administrative costs, up from 50%. That could amount to millions more in costs.
A changing city, a changing life
Michael Thomas Tweedy has lived in Reno since 1967. He said the city looks different now.
“Moana Lane was the end of town. It was all pastureland out there,” Tweedy said.
Tweedy said his wife passed away a few months ago, and he has had to learn to live on his own.
“I depended on my wife for everything and then she passed and now I’m depending on me,” Tweedy said.
Tweedy said he has received SNAP benefits for a while.
“I was receiving them before I became homeless and they helped very much. I’m receiving a small amount now and they help along with the food banks and free meals,” Tweedy said.
Food pantry sees more visitors
Lisa Ross, community relations officer at Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada, said she has seen an increase of 10 to 20 new people coming to the food bank on any given day in the last month.
“Last month in September, we served over 4,000 families just from this one location alone,” Ross said.
Ross said the effects of the SNAP benefit changes will contribute to the food insecurity situation.
“It is affecting the older population a little harder because their income is very fixed and a lot of them still have to volunteer or they have to work 20 hours a week in order to receive their SNAP benefits.”
Ross says Catholic Charities will also help those who need to volunteer 20 hours per week in order to maintain their SNAP benefits. She says they can volunteer at Catholic Charities. Then, she says she can also help them to find employment, where they can be paid.
“I connect them with our workforce development specialists, and we try getting them into the workforce so they’re getting paid and receiving their SNAP benefits,” Ross said.
Tweedy said community members in the area help one another.
“I mean that’s just kind of what we do here as Nevadans and this journey has been difficult, to say the least. But, you know, step by step, all I can say is take the little steps and you’ll make it. Just let people help you. If you don’t, you stagnate,” Tweedy said.
Reaction from Washington
The Trump administration and Republicans have said the reductions to SNAP are necessary to reduce federal spending. Democrats say they worry that with states now forced to pick up some of the costs, some states may withdraw from the program entirely.
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