Hundreds have not responded to notices from Social Services in Steuben County, up to 400 could lose food assistance
In Allegany County, just 10 able-bodied adults are completing work requirements, about 190 set to lose benefit
By Andrew Harris
As of March 1st, 2026 a key element of HR 1, aka “The Big Beautiful Bill,” established work requirements for those receiving federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, become the law of the land. Those new rules require that adults between age 18 and 65 years of age who are “able bodied,” must show 20 hours of work, education, or community service each week to maintain the benefit. Waivers exist for the disabled or for parents with young children.
In New York State, counties have been sending notices to those identified as ABAWD, Able Bodied Adult Without Dependents, informing of new requirements and the compliance required to maintain those benefits. Based on reports from Allegany and Steuben County Department of Social Services, fewer than 50% have responded to the notices. Those that have not responded to repeated attempts by county officials will not receive any benefit beginning in June 2026.
It is estimated that in Steuben county, roughly 400 county residents identified as ABAWD will not receive food assistance unless they contact the DSS office, Phone: 607-664-2000
According to Steuben County DSS staff, those that lose the benefits must contact the DSS office and be certified as compliant to restore benefits.
In Allegany County the Department of Social Services confirmed that approximately 225 residents were identified as “Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents,” and asked to contact the Social Services department for certification or exemption.
Of those 225, approximately 10 are completing the work requirements. Less than 25 have qualified for an exemption. According the department, “All ABAWD SNAP recipients were invited to an orientation November 2025. ABAWD recipients were called in March 2026 to be reminded that ABAWD time limits have started.”
Based on the reporting from these two upstate, high poverty-rate counties, hundreds who have previously been receiving monthly food assistance will not receive benefits in June 2026. It is unclear if the lack of participation in the work requirement is due to apathy or the absence of need. Some beneficiaries are considered homeless and may have no way to receive the updated rules and requirements.
Advocates of the new work requirements say the change will reduce waste and fraud.
For those who are concerned with the status of their food benefits, work requirement rules, or exemption requirements, contact your county Department of Social Services.
In Allegany County Phone: 585.268.9622, in Steuben County Phone: 607-664-2000, in Cattaraugus County Phone: (716) 373-8065, and in Yates County Phone: 315-536-5183
Read our original reporting on the new work requirement below:
