The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may soon see the biggest funding rollback in its history as lawmakers look to offset the cost of former President Donald Trump’s massive tax cut proposal.
House Republicans introduced their budget for the sweeping megabill, which policy experts say could drastically weaken SNAP. Critics argue that the proposed funding shift would benefit wealthy Americans through tax breaks, leaving low-income families to face the consequences.
Known as Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill,” the plan is advancing in the U.S. House of Representatives. If passed, it would slash nearly $300 billion from the SNAP program over the next 10 years.
SNAP Supports Millions of Americans Every Month
SNAP, formerly called “food stamps,” provides essential grocery assistance to more than 40 million low-income families—roughly 1 in 8 Americans, including 1 in 5 children.
“These would be the largest SNAP cuts ever, and they would take food away from hungry people,” said Bobby Kogan, senior director of federal budget policy at the Center for American Progress (CAP).
These proposed reductions come amid rising food prices and worsening food insecurity.
Food costs are projected to rise by 3.5% this year. Economists warn that Trump’s new tariffs on key trading partners could increase the cost of canned goods and produce even further.
How SNAP Works
SNAP helps millions of low-income individuals—including seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities—cover food expenses.
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The federal government funds all SNAP benefits.
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States split administrative costs 50/50 with the federal government.
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Eligibility is based on income and household size.
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Each state runs its own application process. People can apply in person, online, or by mail.
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Approved recipients receive an EBT (electronic benefit transfer) card.
Key facts:
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In 2025, the average monthly benefit is $187—around $6.16 per day.
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SNAP can be used at more than 261,000 authorized retailers.
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You can’t use SNAP to buy alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, or non-food items.
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Participants must reapply every 6 to 12 months (every 12–24 months for older adults and people with disabilities).
GOP Pushes to Cut Food Assistance
Republican lawmakers want to overhaul the nation’s biggest nutrition assistance program to support Trump’s 2025 tax cuts.
The House Agriculture Committee’s GOP members propose cutting at least $290 billion from SNAP over 10 years—about 30% of the program’s funding, according to CAP.
Their proposal would:
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Shift some SNAP costs to states.
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Raise the age for mandatory work requirements.
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Restrict eligibility to U.S. citizens and green card holders.
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Block future increases to SNAP benefits beyond inflation.
Work requirements could tighten, too:
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Currently, able-bodied adults ages 18–54 without dependents must work 20+ hours per week to receive benefits for longer than three months.
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The new plan would increase that age to 64.
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Now, parents of kids under 18 are exempt from work rules. The proposal would limit that to parents of children under 7.
Anti-hunger advocates say these changes overlook the real challenges caregivers and older adults face when trying to work.
“This fails to recognize the barriers that caregivers and older adults face in the workforce,” said Jason Gromley, senior director at Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign.
Why Republicans Want to Cut SNAP
GOP leaders argue the plan encourages work and reduces waste, saying the government spends too much on public benefits and should require recipients to earn assistance.
However, research shows strict work rules don’t increase employment.
Republicans on the House Committee on Agriculture say SNAP costs have jumped—from $60 billion in 2019 to $110 billion annually today.
They believe that cutting $290 billion in SNAP funding would help extend temporary tax cuts from Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which are set to expire soon.
On Sunday, House Republicans moved the One Big Beautiful Bill Act out of the Budget Committee. They postponed a full vote until Friday, according to Politico, and may revise the bill before it advances further.
The Stakes for Food Security
At The Orange County Food Bank in California, workers packed boxes for seniors in the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. That program helps about 25,000 low-income older adults—and could also lose funding under the Trump administration’s proposed 2026 budget.
Cutting SNAP would add pressure to food banks already stretched thin by increased demand.
Ironically, Republican-led states could be hit the hardest. Government data shows rural and Southern communities, which often lean red, rely most heavily on SNAP.
“Our food bank network is gravely concerned about the impact these debilitating cuts will have in our state,” said Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas. “Families across Texas are already struggling to find affordable food and healthcare, pay their rent, and put gas in the car.”
The GOP’s plan could also burden state budgets.
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Their proposal would require states like Texas to cover up to 25% of SNAP food benefits.
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It would also raise administrative costs from 50% to 75%.
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Texas lawmakers would need to come up with more than $1 billion annually to keep the program running.
“A vote for this bill will result in more kids facing hunger – in every state, in every community, in every zip code,” Gromley said.
