A notice outside the Garfield County Department of Human Services Office in Rifle on Aug. 22 informs people of the changes to federal food assistance and Medicaid benefits under the new budget bill. Sarah Tory/Aspen Public Radio

Garfield County is preparing for big changes to Medicaid and SNAP, the federal food assistance program, under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

In the past, Medicaid did not impose work requirements, while SNAP included exemptions for people over 55, and those who are unhoused or parenting children under 18. But under the new law, some of those populations will now need to show they’re working to qualify for food assistance and Medicaid eligibility.

In Garfield County, more than 4,000 people are currently receiving SNAP benefits. Of those, there are 172 unhouse

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