More than 4 million Americans have stopped receiving benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) over the past year. Significant policy changes are reshaping the nation’s largest food assistance program.

According to preliminary federal data, monthly SNAP participation declined from approximately 42 million recipients last July to 37 million by April. This marks an 11% decrease nationwide before many of the law’s most significant provisions have even taken effect.

New Eligibility Rules Reduce Participation

The decline follows the implementation of changes included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This legislation tightened eligibility requirements for food assistance.

Among the new rules:

• Expanded work requirements now apply to adults between 55 and 64 years old.
• Veterans, individuals experiencing homelessness, former foster youth, and some parents with children ages 14 to 17 must now meet work or volunteer requirements to remain eligible.
• Certain categories of non-citizens, including some refugees and asylum seekers previously eligible for assistance, have lost access to SNAP benefits.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that expanded work requirements alone could reduce monthly SNAP enrollment by approximately 2.4 million people over the next decade.

Children and Families Feel the Impact

Advocates warn that children are among those most affected.

An analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) found that in just 19 reporting states, more than 1 million children have already lost SNAP benefits since last summer.

Organizations focused on child welfare say the speed of the decline is particularly concerning. They note that additional reductions are scheduled to occur later this year.

States See Sharp Enrollment Declines

Some states have experienced especially steep drops in participation.

Arizona has recorded one of the largest declines, with more than 400,000 fewer SNAP recipients compared to a year earlier. Food banks there report that, for the first time, more people are seeking emergency food assistance each month than are enrolled in SNAP.

Significant enrollment decreases have also been reported in:

• Louisiana
• Florida
• Oklahoma

Food assistance organizations say demand at local food banks continues to rise as federal benefits decline.

Major Funding Changes Begin This Fall

The most significant structural changes to SNAP have yet to take effect.

Beginning in October, states will assume a substantially larger share of the program’s administrative costs.

Current funding structure:

• Federal government: 50%
• States: 50%

Beginning October:

• Federal government: 25%
• States: 75%

Starting in 2027, states with higher payment error rates may also be required to contribute directly toward food benefit costs. This could potentially add hundreds of millions of dollars in new expenses.

Policy analysts warn these financial obligations could force some states to reduce eligibility. They may also cut administrative services or reconsider participation in the program altogether.

Debate Over the Decline

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says SNAP participation naturally fluctuates. The agency attributes part of the decline to improved economic conditions and stronger program integrity.

However, many food policy experts argue that unemployment has remained relatively stable while grocery prices continue to rise. This suggests that policy changes—not reduced need—are driving much of the enrollment decline.

They also point to staffing shortages and increased documentation requirements at state agencies. These factors have slowed application processing and made it more difficult for eligible households to maintain benefits.

Looking Ahead

SNAP remains one of the nation’s largest anti-hunger programs, serving millions of low-income households each month.

As additional funding and eligibility changes roll out over the next two years, policymakers, food banks, and state agencies are closely monitoring how the reforms will affect families. They are also watching how these reforms may influence local economies and access to nutritious food across the United States.

Many advocates warn that if states scale back the program because of rising costs, charitable food organizations will not have the capacity to replace the assistance currently provided through SNAP.