US SNAP enrollment drops 13% following Trump administration policy changes

Enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has decreased by 13% over the past year, according to data from the US Department of Agriculture. The number of recipients fell from 41.6 million in July 2025 to 36.5 million in June 2026 following the implementation of the ‘One Big Beautiful Act’.

The new regulations expanded work requirements, mandating that individuals aged 18 to 64 without dependents under the age of 14 perform at least 20 hours of paid or volunteer work weekly. Previously, these requirements only applied to able-bodied adults aged 18 to 54 without dependents under 18. Additionally, the Act increased the share of administrative costs states must cover from 50% to 75%.

The Congressional Budget Office projects these changes will reduce federal spending by approximately $187 billion over ten years. While the administration views the reduction in recipients as a success in incentivizing employment, critics and non-profit leaders note that the changes have forced many to rely on food banks. Impact varies by state; for example, Arizona saw a 50% drop in enrollment, while Kentucky recorded a 6% decrease.