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Donation box with food.

HR1 changes coming for SNAP, Medicaid

One Big Beautiful Bill adds work requirement to some food assistance

PRESS RELEASE
August 20, 2025

Garfield County Human Services staff is preparing for changes to how individuals can qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food assistance and Medicaid benefits. Work requirements are now a prerequisite for some populations to qualify for food assistance. For certain populations, some individuals applying for Medicaid eligibility may be dependent on work requirements and re-determination must be completed every six months, rather than the traditional 12 months.

Garfield County Human Services Director Sharon Longhurst-Pritt told the Board of County Commissioners that a large increase in workload is anticipated due to changes stemming from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR1).

“We must have the staff to adhere to all these new requirements,” she said. “There’s no additional funding to support that staff.”

She said the most substantial changes are in expanded work requirements for individuals who are currently exempt, and redeterminations for Medicaid eligibility. The Medicaid and food-assistance exemption age has increased from 55 to 65, under HR1.

“The first modifications here are the SNAP requirements for able-bodied adults,” Longhurst-Pritt said. “For individuals applying for food assistance who are currently exempt from work requirements, some will be required to work but we don’t know the exact numbers yet. We do know that we have 172 unhoused individuals that are currently on food assistance. They’re currently exempt because of their housing situation, and they will no longer be exempt.”

She added that there are more than 4,000 people in Garfield County receiving SNAP benefits and 579 able-bodied adults without dependents on food assistance, roughly half of which are currently exempt from work requirements. Work requirements for SNAP benefits are currently voluntary but will soon be required for certain applicants.

“We are currently waiting on federal guidance. The requirements went into effect immediately and we don’t have any guidance around exactly what this looks like,” she told the board. “It’s anticipated that the federal government will roll out guidance in 6 to 8 months.”

HR1 directly affects the local Medicaid expansion population (4,072 people in Garfield County), who are individuals that were added to Medicaid as a result of the Affordable Care Act. These applicants must meet new work requirements unless they qualify for an exemption.

“That’s going to be a huge workload to push these applications through,” Longhurst-Pritt told the board.

Garfield County Community Services Division Manager Darell Dietrich told the board that the county partners with the Workforce Center to provide people who are on food assistance with training. He noted that working as much as 20 hours per week and even some volunteering meets the work requirement.

Longhurst-Pritt added that many people on SNAP benefits are participating in a work program that provides needed skills and training for people seeking employment. This includes resume writing, applying for jobs, and assistance in connecting them with a job.

“There’s a high number of individuals on food assistance who are currently employed. It’s well over 50 percent,” Longhurst-Pritt added. “Individuals who aren’t employed usually fall under the category of elderly or disabled and wouldn’t necessarily be required to work, including those over 65. They’re exempt from that requirement.”

The cost-share for food assistance that the state must cover is also increasing and counties may be required to match a portion of the funding. The state is currently engaging in conversation with legislators, county departments of human services, and state departments to determine how this gap in funding will be filled.

“This is very concerning to me. It’s another unfunded mandate,” said Commissioner Tom Jankovsky. “This time, instead of coming from the state it’s coming from the federal government.”

“The biggest impact is going to be from the anticipated $120 to $140 million annually that the state is going to be required to supplement for food assistance,” Longhurst-Pritt told the board. “That changes in October 2027, and given the state’s current financial status, that’s a lot of money to absorb in a short period of time.”

“We’re looking at how we administer SNAP and Medicaid,” Commissioner Jankovsky added. “There will be an additional workload for the county and changes for some individuals receiving services.”