Millions of Americans could lose access to food assistance under a new proposal from the Trump administration, raising concerns about how low-income families will afford groceries if the changes take effect.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that approximately 6.3 million people across 3.2 million households could lose their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits under the proposed rule.
The change would affect one of the country’s largest food assistance programs, which helps millions of Americans pay for groceries each month.
The proposal does not immediately remove anyone from the program. However, if finalized, it could significantly change who qualifies for assistance, with the full projected impact expected in 2029.
What Is the Trump Administration Proposing?
At the centre of the proposal is a policy known as broad-based categorical eligibility, which allows states to use participation in certain other assistance programs to help determine whether households qualify for SNAP.
Under existing rules, states can use this flexibility to allow some households receiving assistance through programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to qualify for food stamps without having to meet all the usual federal income and resource requirements.
The Trump administration wants to eliminate this particular form of state flexibility.
Under the proposed change, states would no longer be able to use certain non-cash or in-kind benefits and services funded through TANF programs to establish categorical eligibility for SNAP. Households would generally have to meet SNAP’s federal eligibility requirements unless they qualify through another permitted categorical eligibility pathway.
The proposal would still allow categorical eligibility for households receiving qualifying TANF assistance, as defined under federal regulations.
The USDA argues that the change would make eligibility rules more consistent across the country and ensure assistance is directed toward households that meet federal requirements.
However, the department’s own estimates indicate that millions of current recipients could lose their benefits as a result.
How Many People Could Be Affected?
The projected impact is substantial.
According to the USDA’s regulatory analysis, approximately 3.2 million households, containing 6.3 million people, could stop receiving SNAP benefits in fiscal year 2029, when the proposal is expected to reach its full effect.
That represents nearly 18 percent of current SNAP participants.
The financial implications are also significant. The department estimates that the proposed change would reduce federal SNAP benefit spending by approximately $44.6 billion over five years, covering fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
The USDA also projects a reduction in state SNAP spending, although states would face additional administrative costs.
For families already relying on food assistance to manage household expenses, losing these benefits could mean having less money available for groceries and other essential needs.
Children Could Also Be Affected
The proposed changes could extend beyond grocery assistance.
The USDA estimates that approximately 1.78 million children would lose automatic eligibility for free school meals because their households would no longer qualify for SNAP under the proposed rules.
However, this does not mean all those children would lose access to free meals.
The department estimates that approximately 97 percent would likely remain eligible for free or reduced-price school meals based on their household income. Their families would simply have to complete a separate application or eligibility process.
Nevertheless, the additional paperwork could create difficulties for some households, particularly those already dealing with financial and administrative challenges.
Other nutrition assistance programs could also be affected, including the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, commonly known as WIC.
Why Is This Happening Now?
The proposal comes as SNAP is already undergoing significant changes.
In July 2025, President Donald Trump signed legislation that introduced additional restrictions and spending changes affecting the program.
According to USDA data cited by Reuters, SNAP enrollment has fallen by more than 5.5 million people since those changes were enacted, bringing participation to approximately 36 million.
The latest proposal would introduce another major change by limiting the ability of states to use broader eligibility rules.
The administration argues that these measures are intended to strengthen program oversight, standardize eligibility and focus assistance on those who meet federal requirements.
Critics, however, argue that removing the flexibility states currently have could exclude households that still struggle to afford basic necessities.
The debate highlights a broader question facing the United States: how should the government balance controlling public spending with ensuring that struggling families can afford food?
What Happens Next?
The USDA’s proposal is not yet final.
The public has 30 days to submit comments before the department considers the next steps in the rulemaking process.
The administration will have to review the feedback before deciding whether to finalize the changes, revise them or withdraw the proposal.
If implemented, the changes could reshape access to food assistance for millions of Americans over the coming years.
For now, millions of households remain enrolled in SNAP, but the proposed changes could determine whether many of them continue receiving help in the future.
SOURCES: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Federal Register, Reuters, CNN, Pew Research Center.
