Trump USDA SNAP benefits change
The gist
The USDA proposed a rule limiting automatic SNAP eligibility, estimating 6.3 million people could lose benefits.
The change targets a state shortcut, with children and school lunches among those affected.
How it unfolded
- Jul 2025President Donald Trump signed sweeping SNAP changes into law (the One Big Beautiful Bill Act), expanding work requirements and making certain categories of immigrants ineligible.
- Jul 2025 to Jul 2026SNAP participation fell by 5.5 million people, or 13 percent, to 36.1 million, its lowest point in 17 years, per a Center on Budget and Policy Priorities analysis of federal and state data.
- Sep 18, 2026A federal judge blocked Trump-backed SNAP changes that USDA said could have withheld $425 million in SNAP funds for 1.4 million North Carolinians.
Key terms
- broad-based categorical eligibility
- A U.S. federal program providing food-purchasing assistance to low- and no-income people, formerly called food stamps.
- TANF
- A U.S. federal block grant to states that funds cash assistance and other services for needy families.
- Federal Register
- The official daily journal of the U.S. federal government publishing agency rules, proposed rules, and public notices.
Source: Wikipedia