Enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has declined by more than 13% in a 12-month period, a steeper drop than government projections indicated. This decrease is largely attributed to the implementation of new work requirements and other provisions from President Donald Trump's legislation, alongside administrative hurdles faced by state agencies.
Recent federal data shows SNAP enrollment fell from 42.2 million in May 2025 to 36.6 million in May 2026. This marks a significant acceleration in the decline, which began after a peak of 43.3 million beneficiaries in October 2024. The Congressional Budget Office had projected a slower decrease, expecting enrollment to fall below 34 million by 2036, but the current pace of decline has already brought enrollment numbers close to 2030 projections.
Tightening Eligibility and Work Mandates
The expanded SNAP work requirement, now in effect for most of the country, mandates that many adults aged 55 and younger without minor children must work, volunteer, or attend school to receive benefits. Previously exempt groups, including those ages 55 to 64 and individuals with older children (14-17), are now subject to these requirements. Exemptions remain for those 65 and older, individuals with younger children (under 14), those with health limitations, and some other groups previously exempt, such as homeless individuals, who are no longer exempt.
Proponents of the reforms hope the reduction in enrollment reflects individuals moving off the rolls due to increased earnings, signaling a successful tightening of program eligibility and a reduction in perceived fraud. However, advocates point to administrative complexities as a primary driver for many losing benefits. Tia Fields, who analyzes social safety net policies at Invest in Louisiana, noted that a significant portion of people losing coverage are doing so due to "administrative paperwork" rather than failing to meet work requirements.
State-Level Declines and Administrative Challenges
Arizona has reported the most significant enrollment drop, with a decrease of over 50% in a 12-month span, affecting more than 400,000 people. Officials in Arizona cited the state's own difficulties in implementing the new federal requirements as a major factor. Brett Bezio, a spokesman for the Arizona Department of Economic Security, stated that "implementing the federally mandated changes triggered unprecedented call volumes and administrative hurdles, including additional verification requirements, creating real barriers for applicants."
Other states have also seen substantial declines. Georgia, Louisiana, and Nevada experienced drops of more than 20%, while Florida reported a decrease attributed to the state's focus on economic self-sufficiency. In Florida, immigrants legally residing in the U.S. may also be hesitant to seek benefits due to fears related to immigration enforcement, according to Paco Velez, president and CEO of Feeding South Florida.
Broader Implications of Reduced SNAP Enrollment
The decline in SNAP enrollment has wider consequences beyond individual households. Children in families receiving SNAP benefits may automatically qualify for free school lunch programs or the SNAP for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. Advocates express concern about how these automatic enrollments will be affected, potentially impacting school meal access and support for mothers and young children.
Food banks are increasing donations to meet rising demand, but they acknowledge that they cannot fully compensate for the scale of SNAP. "We know that no other organization or program can replicate the scale and success of SNAP," said Carolyn Vega, a policy analyst at Share Our Strength. "We know that schools can’t fill this gap. We know that food banks can’t fill this gap."
Experts also anticipate a potential future impact when states are required to cover a portion of benefit costs if their payment error rates exceed 6%, a measure scheduled to begin in October 2027. Some states may opt to deny benefits to certain individuals to avoid these error-related costs.