Millions Lose SNAP Benefits as New Work Rules Take Effect

The implementation of stricter Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) regulations beginning October 1 has resulted in approximately 5.2 million Americans losing their food assistance benefits, according to an analysis by the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC). The changes, enacted under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), have drawn sharp criticism from anti-hunger advocates and recipients who describe the新规 as punitive and chaotic.

Lori Covelli, a 53-year-old unemployed social worker from Kenosha, Wisconsin, recently lost her entire $760 monthly benefit after failing to secure employment under the program’s updated guidelines. Previously, individuals could exempt themselves from work requirements upon turning 54. However, President Donald Trump signed the OBBBA into law on July 4, 2025, extending that age threshold to 64.

“That’s a long way off. At this point, SNAP benefits are essentially over for me,” Covelli told CBS News. She noted that state employees had initially advised her to wait until her 54th birthday, only for federal law to remove that hope. Now applying for roughly ten jobs weekly, Covelli expressed frustration with the system. “It feels as though people are being punished,” she said.

The White House did not respond to requests for comment regarding the administration’s assertion that millions have exited SNAP due to economic improvements. However, experts and recipients argue the reality contradicts this narrative, citing a job market where many struggle to find work while facing rising grocery and utility costs.

Financial Strain on States

The overhaul introduces significant financial burdens for state governments administering the program. Starting October 1, states must cover 75% of administrative costs, an increase from the previous 50% share. Furthermore, beginning in October 2027, states with high payment error rates will be required to pay up to 15% of their SNAP benefits, a cost previously borne entirely by the federal government.

Republican lawmakers have characterized these error rates as evidence of fraud, while anti-hunger advocates contend they stem from routine administrative mistakes such as misspellings or outdated addresses.

Alabama SNAP Director Brandon Hardin warned in July that his state could face $174 million in additional costs related to payment errors. He indicated that if Alabama cannot reduce its error rate and the associated financial burden, the state might be forced to exit the program entirely.

Record Low Enrollment

SNAP enrollment has dropped to its lowest level since 2019. Arizona, which has seen a 53% decline in enrollment over the past year, reported that the OBBBA forced a rapid overhaul of its benefit administration processes. Brett Bezio, a spokesman for the Arizona Department of Economic Security, stated that the agency implemented changes to avoid “disastrous financial penalties” and preserve assistance for as many residents as possible. He added that caseloads stabilized in August with an increase of 57,000 enrollees compared to April.

Crystal FitzSimons, president of FRAC, described the Trump administration’s modifications as “absolutely unprecedented.” She warned that the combination of stringent work requirements and funding shifts is causing confusion and application backlogs, potentially driving some states to withdraw from the program altogether.

Impact on Vulnerable Populations

Recipients are encountering significant hurdles in navigating the new rules. Angie Aranda, a 49-year-old from Pueblo, Colorado, suffers from Crohn’s disease and is seeking a medical waiver to avoid the work mandate. Under the new law, the exemption for parents was narrowed from children under 18 to those under 14. Because Aranda’s children are 17 and 14, she no longer qualifies for the previous exemption.

“I have to prove that I’m sick over and over and over again,” Aranda said, noting the difficulty in getting clear guidance from state agencies. Her family’s monthly benefits, approximately $900, are now at risk.

Meanwhile, the average SNAP benefit of $6.25 per person per day is insufficient to cover a typical meal in 99% of U.S. counties, according to a 2025 Urban Institute analysis. This shortfall coincides with a 32% increase in grocery prices since early 2020 and inflationary pressures exacerbated by higher energy costs linked to the conflict involving Iran.

Cyndi Kirkhart, CEO of Facing Hunger Food Bank in Huntington, West Virginia, reported a surge in demand from individuals aged 54 to 64 who are now ineligible for benefits due to the raised work requirement age. Many in this demographic are caring for grandchildren due to opioid addictions among their adult children. “This is the pandemic on steroids with little food and little money,” Kirkhart said.

With the USDA halting its annual food insecurity study in 2025, FRAC is urging lawmakers to reinstate the research to better understand the widespread impact of these cuts. A previous Purdue University study found that food insecurity rose to 14% of households in late 2025, driven by inflation and reduced SNAP access.