Compromise Deal Raises Debt Ceiling and Food Aid Spending Despite New SNAP Work Requirements

The debt-ceiling deal includes new work requirements for SNAP recipients but also expands benefits and eligibility.
The bill's changes to SNAP are projected to increase federal spending on the program by $2.1 billion over 10 years according to the CBO.
The new work requirements in SNAP would save money, but the added benefits and exemptions pushed by Democrats would cost more and add almost 80,000 people to the rolls in an average month.
The deal extends the age restriction for food aid to 55 and makes other changes to eligibility that help veterans and homeless people receive assistance.
Republicans defend the new work requirements but dispute estimates that the final bill would increase spending on SNAP and enroll more people in the program.