New SNAP Eligibility Proposal Could Strip Millions of Food Stamp Benefits, Critics Warn
A new Trump administration proposal to tighten SNAP eligibility could cut food stamp enrollment by 17%. Advocates warn of rising food insecurity across America.
POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — Hunger advocates are expressing strong opposition to a recent Trump administration plan aimed at tightening the eligibility requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The U.S. Department of Agriculture introduced the rule on Tuesday for public review, seeking to complicate the automatic food stamp qualification for individuals already receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits.
Internal projections from the USDA suggest that implementing these changes would result in a nearly 17% decrease in program enrollment.
White House spokeswoman Allison Schuster stated that the administration intends to ensure SNAP resources are directed toward “eligible Americans who need it most.”
Opponents argue that removing so many people from the program will exacerbate food insecurity during a period when many households are already facing significant financial strain.
Ty Jones Cox, vice president for food assistance at the nonpartisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, noted that the administration is attacking vital aid for struggling families instead of addressing public concerns regarding affordability after the election.
Representative Angie Craig, a Democrat from Minnesota and the ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee, also voiced sharp disapproval, describing the de-novo proposal as “heartless and cruel” in a formal statement.
This move is part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to restrict access to food stamps, following the “One Big Beautiful Bill” which expanded work requirements for SNAP.
As of October 1, states are also responsible for funding a greater portion of SNAP administrative costs, a shift advocates fear will trigger further reductions in benefits.
Official USDA data indicates that more than 5 million Americans have lost food stamp access since the “Big Beautiful Bill” was signed in July.
Gina Plata-Nino of the Food Research and Action Center stated that these new challenges demonstrate a lack of awareness regarding the realities faced by seniors, grandparents, and those working in low-paying sectors.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)