A big federal spending and tax bill — sometimes called the “One Big Beautiful Bill” — was signed into law recently, and it includes some changes that could impact many people here in Wyandotte County who rely on SNAP or Medicaid.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s coming:
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New SNAP work rules could start soon. Parents with kids aged 14 and older may need to work, volunteer, or go to school for at least 80 hours a month to keep their SNAP benefits. This could begin as early as this year.
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Medicaid work requirements are coming — but not right away. Starting in 2027, some parents (again, those with kids 14 and up) will need to work 20 hours a week to stay covered. If someone has a physical or mental disability, they’re exempt. Because Kansas hasn’t expanded Medicaid, this won’t impact quite as many people here — but it’s still something we’re watching closely.
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More frequent Medicaid eligibility checks. Beginning in 2026, states will start checking eligibility every six months. That means people will need to keep up with paperwork and deadlines to avoid losing coverage.
These changes might sound technical, but they could have a big impact on real people in our community — people who already have enough to worry about. Families could lose benefits just by missing a form or a deadline.
Here at Wyandot BHN, we’ll be helping to make sure those we serve understand what’s changing and what they need to do to maintain their coverage and benefits. But this will take a community effort to make sure no one slips through the cracks. We will be working closely with our partners to educate eligible Medicaid & SNAP benefit recipients about these changes and assist them in navigating these changes.