Disparate rules could create SNAP ‘havens’ for those less likely to work

As new SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) requirements take effect across a number of late-adopting states, disparate requirements are emerging. For those who have benefited from a vast welfare system for years and have avoided gainful employment, a move across the state may be preferable to finding a job. The new SNAP requirements, from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) signed thirteen months ago, expand work rules for ABAWDs (Able-Bodied Adults With Dependents) to ages 18-64, from 18-54. 
Additionally, exemptions were narrowed (e.g., caregivers of children 14+, certain veterans, homeless, and former foster youth must generally comply), requiring 80 hours/month of work, volunteering, or training, with non-compliant individuals limited to three months of benefits in 36 months. 
The law also restricted noncitizen eligibility and added state cost-sharing based on error rates.
Gradual implementation 
Most states began implementation in late 2025 (e.g., Maryland, Pennsylvania and Kansas starting September-November for new applicants and recertifications). By early 2026, 49 states had largely complied, though timelines varied. 
Delays due to waivers or litigation affected California, Illinois, DC, Nevada, and others into February or later (parts of Pennsylvania until September 2026), often with grace periods (e.g., until May 1). Noncitizen changes received a hold-harmless extension to April 9, 2026, for 21 states.
Migration to laxer enforcement areas
If the migration pattern following the implementation of AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children, the predecessor to Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)) is any indication, localities whose administration of SNAP is less stringent will see emigration from areas where both enforcement and work requirements are stricter. 
A 2000 analysis of 1980/1990 Census data found that single mothers and low-education individuals were more likely to move to states with generous general welfare benefits. Similar patterns also appeared in immigrant welfare use, with the highest concentration in high-benefit states.
Jurisdiction of administration and enforcement
While SNAP is a federal program with core eligibility rules such as income limits, citizenship requirements, and benefit calculations, states administer it with some flexibility and adjustments for household size or high-cost areas, creating potential “SNAP havens.”
While fundamental rules like income thresholds and work requirements remain consistent statewide, states can adopt options such as broader categorical eligibility to ease income or asset limits and design their own employment and training programs that differ from neighboring states.
In about 10 states where counties handle day-to-day operations, processing and local support may differ by locality, and implementation timelines for the new work rules or remaining high-unemployment waivers can create some county or city-level variations in rollout. 
Rife with fraud
Under the Trump administration, the SNAP program is challenged by ongoing concerns over fraud, waste and improper payments. In fiscal year 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated an 11.7% improper payment rate for SNAP, totaling about $10.5 billion in erroneous benefits.  
Trafficking — the illegal sale of benefits for cash — diverted an estimated 1.6% of benefits, or roughly $1 billion annually, according to the most recent USDA study covering 2015-2017. In addition, data matching — the cross-checking of SNAP records against other databases such as income, death, prison and interstate enrollment files — has uncovered billions in potential overpayments to ineligible recipients. 

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