Federal SNAP Cuts Trigger Food Insecurity in Nebraska and California

The United States Congress passed HR1, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which is projected to reduce nationwide Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) spending by $186 billion over 10 years. The legislation expanded work requirements for able-bodied adults, removed exemptions for veterans, homeless individuals, and former foster youths, and restricted eligibility for most non-citizens.

In Nebraska, approximately 40,000 residents—nearly a quarter of the state's recipients—lost benefits between October 2025 and August 2026. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services reported that implementation is going well overall, though the agency requested $9.5 million in additional state funds to cover administrative costs, which rose from 50% to 75% under the new law.

California faces similar strain, with estimates that at least 650,000 residents will lose CalFresh benefits. While the state government allocated $15.5 billion for CalFresh and $118 million for the CalFood program in the 2026–27 budget, food bank leaders in Sonoma, Napa, and Marin counties warn that high demand and rising food costs may quickly exhaust these funds.

Advocacy groups and local officials warn of a growing crisis. Nebraska Appleseed and Restoring Dignity report that the cuts disproportionately affect children, immigrants, and refugees. In California, U.S. Representative Mike Thompson stated that the effects of these cuts will be devastating, while local food banks report a surge in demand that charitable aid cannot sustain at the scale of federal benefits.