[REVISION HISTORY]

US SNAP enrollment declines amid new work requirements

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2026-10-27 07:41 UTC → 2026-10-27 23:11 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The USDA’s FY 2025 SNAP error rate of 10.62%—amounting to roughly $10 billion in improper payments—has triggered cost-sharing provisions under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1). Starting October 1, 2027, states with error rates exceeding 6% must fund a portion of benefits, with rates above 10% requiring a 15% state contribution. This creates projected liabilities exceeding $9 billion for 41 states and D.C., including high-error states like Alaska (23%), DC (18.7%), and New Mexico (16.8%). Following the law's enactment on July 4, 2025, participation has declined sharply. Between May 2025 and August 2026, enrollment fell by over 13%, from 42.2 million to 36.6 million, including a loss of 1.5 million children. Newer data confirms a 13% decline in recipients from July 2025 to June 2026, following expanded work requirements that mandate individuals aged 18 to 64 without dependents under 14 perform at least 20 hours of weekly work. The Congressional Budget Office projects these changes will reduce federal spending by approximately $187 billion over ten years. Regional impacts remain severe. In Texas, enrollment hit a 17-year low of 2.8 million in September 2026, a 20.8% year-over-year decline. This drop is driven largely by children, with participation among those under five reaching a 20-year low. Additionally, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission reported application processing timeliness fell to 64%, well below the 95% federal requirement. While the administration views the reduction as a success in incentivizing employment, critics note the changes have forced many to rely on food banks. By July 2026, SNAP beneficiaries fell to approximately 36.1 million, marking the lowest monthly participation level in 17 years, dating back to July 2009. This represents a 13.3% decrease compared to July 2025.

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