More than 4 million Americans were removed from SNAP from July 2025 to March 2026 as the law tightened eligibility rules, increased state screening requirements and shifted more program costs to states based on payment error rates.
Arizona saw the sharpest drop, with more than 450,000 people leaving SNAP by May and statewide participation cut in half; in Louisiana, nearly one in four children lost benefits, while Massachusetts and Texas each lost close to one-fifth.
The CBPP warned the declines will worsen without congressional action, while Ilhan Omar's amendment to reverse the cuts failed and more than 200 mayors urged the Senate to restore benefits amid a deepening food security crisis.
With millions losing food aid due to strict new rules, how will local communities handle the unprecedented hunger crisis this year?
Could Arizona's massive administrative backlog that wrongfully denied thousands of families foreshadow a nationwide collapse of the food safety net?
One Year After $186 Billion SNAP Cuts: The Human and Structural Impact of the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Overview
After the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) passed in July 2025, the United States saw the largest-ever cut to SNAP, leading to a sharp drop in enrollment—especially among children. The law expanded work requirements, removed key exemptions, and shifted major costs to states, pushing them to tighten eligibility and increase denials. As millions lost benefits, families faced tough choices between food, rent, and medical bills. Food banks and schools struggled to meet soaring demand, but could not fill the gap left by federal cuts. Legal challenges and state-level reforms continue, but the crisis persists for vulnerable Americans.