Missouri SNAP Recipients Face Tighter Rules After “Big Beautiful Bill” Becomes Law

Jefferson City, Mo. (KFMO) - A major federal spending bill known as the “Big Beautiful Bill” was signed into law on July 4.

As a result, Missouri’s SNAP, or food stamp, program is facing significant changes. The new federal rules now require Missouri SNAP recipients aged 18 to 64 to work at least 80 hours per month, up from the previous age cap of 54, and even parents with children over 14 are included.

Experts warn these tighter work conditions could put access to food benefits at risk for nearly 14,000 Missourians between ages 55–64, and disrupt benefits for thousands more statewide. Additionally, for the first time ever, Missouri must begin sharing a portion of SNAP costs, shifting hundreds of millions of dollars in food assistance responsibility to the state. That means the Missouri state budget could face an extra $405 million burden, according to the Missouri Budget Project.

State officials are now scrambling to assess the impact on families and the state budget, with local food banks warning of intensified demand.