According to data from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) decreased by approximately 4.5 million people between July 2025 and April 2026. The decline followed the enactment of the "One Big Beautiful Bill," which expanded work requirements for food assistance and removed eligibility exceptions for homeless individuals, veterans, and certain lawful immigrants. CBPP estimates that child participation in the program fell by more than 1.5 million during this period.
The legislation also introduced a new fiscal provision scheduled for fiscal year 2028, which will require states with benefit error rates of 6% or higher to cover the costs of those benefits. In fiscal year 2025, nine states reported error rates below that threshold. Feeding America CEO Denis McDonough stated that food banks are experiencing increased demand as states implement new administrative verification processes to reduce error rates. McDonough noted that high food prices have also contributed to reliance on charitable food systems by households that do not qualify for federal assistance.
Arizona reported the largest decrease in SNAP participation at 54.6%. Terri Shoemaker, executive vice president of the Arizona Food Bank Network, stated that the state’s Department of Economic Security has implemented more frequent documentation checks and longer interviews to ensure payment accuracy. A USDA spokesperson told Axios that while households remain eligible if they meet means-tested requirements, participation may fluctuate as individuals find employment, undergo recertification, or experience changes in household circumstances. Advocates are currently petitioning Congress to delay the 2028 cost-sharing deadline for states.