SNAP enrolment falls by about 13% in a year after Trump-era law tightens rules

Left · 1Enrolment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fell from 41.6 million people in July 2025 to 36.5 million in June 2026, a 13% drop, according to US Department of Agriculture data cited by the Guardian. 1 Left · 1The Independent, citing new USDA data, put the figure at 36 million in July 2026 and described a fall of more than five million. 2 Left · 2The decline follows the 2025 "One Big Beautiful Bill" law, which expanded work requirements and shifted more of the program's costs to states; the Congressional Budget Office estimated it would cut federal SNAP spending by about $187bn over 10 years. 2 1

Left · 2Work rules now apply to adults aged 18 to 64, up from 18 to 54, and to those whose households include children aged 14 to 17 but none younger; recipients must work or do approved volunteering or training for at least 20 hours a week (80 a month) or lose benefits. The Independent adds that the law removed automatic exemptions for veterans and homeless people. 2 1 Left · 1From October, states must cover 75% of SNAP administrative costs, up from half. From October 2027 they will have to pay part of benefit costs if their payment error rate exceeds 6%, a measure the USDA says is not one of fraud. 1 Left · 2The fall varied by state: enrolment in Arizona dropped about 50% (from roughly 882,000 to 433,000), Florida's fell 22%, Kentucky's 6% and Alaska's 3.5%. 2 1

Left · 2Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins called moving 5 million people off food stamps "a pretty big win" at a Minnesota farming festival in August, and Trump and other Republicans say the changes encourage people to find jobs. Rep. Glenn Thompson, a Pennsylvania Republican, said the provision restores the program's intent as a temporary helping hand. 1 2 Left · 2Critics, including Kentucky's Democratic governor Andy Beshear, anti-hunger groups and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, say the changes make it harder for families to eat, at a time of rising living costs and to help fund tax breaks for the wealthy. 1 2 Left · 2Food banks report heavier demand: an NBC News analysis found nearly three-quarters of 48 of the largest food banks saw increased demand over the past year, and the Food Bank Council of Michigan said helpline calls more than tripled before it temporarily suspended the line this week. A new Pew Research Center survey found 22% of Americans worry daily about affording food. 2 1

Left · 1The Guardian also reports, citing the Washington Post, that falling enrolment is making it harder for schools to qualify for free meals for all pupils; in Houston, 26 schools lost eligibility. Advocates dispute that jobs data explains the fall, noting 776,000 non-farm jobs added between January 2025 and September 2026. 1 Left · 1A USDA spokesperson told the Guardian that the number of recipients "is constantly changing and is not representative of any one policy" and did not answer a question on whether the changes had caused hunger. 1