New federal work requirements could strip food stamps from thousands of Minnesotans

New, more stringent eligibility requirements may soon knock thousands of Minnesotans off of food stamps. The new rules require able bodied adults under the age of 65 to work at least 80 hours a month in order to receive SNAP benefits. Previously, the work requirement applied to those under 55.

Exemptions to the work rule for veterans, homeless individuals and parents or caregivers of children age 14 and up have been eliminated, too. And those recipients who don't meet these new work requirements by April 1 won't be allowed to apply for food assistance benefits again until 2029.

A federal judge in St. Paul held an assistant U.S. attorney in contempt of court this week after the government failed to return identification documents to a man held in immigration detention. The judge ordered the attorney to pay $500 a day in fines starting Thursday until the government returned the man’s property.

Advocates for immigrants argued Thursday that a federal judge should extend a temporary restraining order barring federal agencies from detaining refugees in Minnesota who have been in the country for more than a year. Advocates are challenging the government’s stance that they can now investigate and detain refugees who are not yet permanent residents.

Go deeper with the latest edition of the Minnesota Today newsletter.

Thousands of Minnesotans to be kicked off SNAP due to new eligibility requirements

Judge threatens government lawyer with fines after ICE violates court order

Immigration advocates challenge federal refugee policy in court

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.