The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the primary federal program providing nutrition assistance to individuals and families living at or below the poverty line, serving approximately 42 million people across 22.4 million households in the United States. This equates to about one in eight Americans, with a significant portion of recipients being children, disabled individuals, and the elderly. In Fiscal Year 2024, the federal government allocated $100.3 billion to SNAP, with approximately $7 billion designated for state administration of the program.

Recent changes enacted through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, signed by President Trump, have resulted in the largest cuts to SNAP in its history, amounting to a $186 billion reduction in spending. The new legislation introduces stricter work requirements for able-bodied adults aged 18-64, who must now work at least 80 hours per month or participate in education or training programs to maintain eligibility for benefits beyond three months within a three-year period. Previously, the upper age limit for these requirements was 54.

Additionally, exemptions for certain groups, such as veterans and the homeless, have been removed, and the caregiver exemption has been narrowed to apply only to children under the age of 14. The criteria for obtaining waivers from work requirements have also been tightened, limiting eligibility to areas with unemployment rates exceeding 10%, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.

The federal cost share for administrative expenses has been reduced from 75% to 50%, and benefits for approximately 250,000 non-citizens, including refugees and humanitarian visa holders, will be eliminated. These changes are expected to reduce the number of SNAP recipients by approximately 3 million, with around 2.4 million individuals likely to be affected by the new work requirements alone.

Concerns regarding fraud within the SNAP program have been highlighted, with reports indicating significant misuse of funds. Investigations have uncovered instances of fraudulent activities, including the use of deceased individuals' social security numbers to access benefits. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins has acknowledged the need for increased accountability and transparency within the program, emphasizing the importance of maintaining public support for SNAP by addressing fraud effectively.

While SNAP plays a crucial role in supporting millions of families, the recent legislative changes raise questions about the balance between reducing fraud and ensuring that vulnerable populations continue to receive necessary assistance.