Trump's OBBBA Cuts SNAP Enrollment for Millions of Americans

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed by Donald Trump in July 2025, has significantly reduced participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). USDA data shows monthly participation dropped from 42 million people in July 2025 to 37 million in April 2026, representing a year-over-year decline of approximately 13%. More than 4 million people, including 1 million children, lost access to the program due to stricter work requirements—now mandating 80 hours of work or training per month for adults up to age 64—and the removal of aid for certain noncitizens.

Arizona experienced the steepest decline, with enrollment falling by nearly 55% following workforce cuts. Other states, including Florida, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, also reported sharp decreases. While Alaska was the only state to see an increase in participants, the Congressional Budget Office estimates the new requirements will reduce average monthly participation by 2.4 million people through 2034. The law is projected to cut program funding by $186 billion over a decade.

Administrative changes starting in October will shift a larger share of operating costs to states, with potential penalties for high payment error rates beginning in October 2027. The National Governors Association requested a delay of these cost-sharing measures until 2030 to prevent errors, but the federal government denied the request. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins attributed the enrollment drop to a stronger economy and the removal of ineligible participants, while the National Co+op Grocers estimates the reforms will reduce grocery sales by nearly $88 billion through 2034.