LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Community advocates say recent changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are creating new hurdles for people experiencing homelessness, with demand for food assistance already on the rise.
What You Need To Know
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SNAP work requirements have been reinstated for certain adults, including those experiencing homelessness.
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Adults ages 18–64 without dependents must complete 80 hours of work, volunteering or job training each month to qualify.
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Local organizations report increasing demand for food support.
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Advocates say rising living costs and Medicaid changes are forcing families into difficult financial decisions.
The updated policy reinstates work requirements that had previously been waived for individuals without stable housing.
Under the new rules, “able-bodied” adults without dependents between 18 and 64 must work, volunteer or participate in job training for at least 80 hours per month to receive SNAP benefits.
The waiver for people experiencing homelessness was eliminated under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Rhona Kamar, founder and executive director of Feed Louisville, said the policy adds pressure on people already facing crisis.
“Increased work requirements for people who are experiencing homelessness, we feel, is actually a very cruel policy,” Kamar said.
She added that her organization is already seeing a surge in need.
“We’re already facing cuts in benefits. So, yes, I mean, the demand has increased here at Feed Louisville. All of our community partners are seeing increased demands for food and food support,” she said.
Feed Louisville works alongside groups such as UP for Women and Children, which supports individuals and families dealing with housing instability.
Lorena Hood, executive director of UP for Women and Children, said the requirements fail to reflect the realities of homelessness.
“And when you’re in a state of crisis, it’s very hard to do an active job search when you don’t even know where you’re gonna sleep that night,” Hood said. “You’re basically in survival mode. How am I gonna eat? Where am I gonna sleep? How am I gonna find a place to live?”
Hood said the SNAP changes, combined with rising rent and shifts in programs like Medicaid, are forcing families to make painful choices.
“So with these rising costs, rent, now I can’t, I don’t get as much food support from SNAP. Now my medicine costs more,” Hood said. “Families are having to juggle and parents are trying to decide, well, do I put food on the table? Do I get this medicine?”
Both organizations said they continue working to meet people where they are by providing meals, support services and connections to additional community resources.
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