 between January 2025 and January 2026, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.){kind=link}
Nearly 4.3 million Americans stopped receiving food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) between January 2025 and January 2026, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
While Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins credited the decline to reduced fraud and a stronger economy, experts say new federal legislation played the biggest role.
New SNAP Rules Drove the Sharp Decline
Policy experts point to major changes included in the Republican-backed “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” signed into law in July 2025. The legislation tightened work requirements and reduced eligibility for several groups previously exempt from SNAP rules.
Adults up to age 64 without dependents must now meet stricter work requirements, while exemptions for homeless individuals, veterans, refugees, and some former foster youth were removed.
Researchers say these changes made the program harder to access, especially for low-income families struggling to find stable work.
Fraud Accounts for Only a Small Percentage
Experts also dispute claims that widespread fraud caused the massive drop in SNAP enrollment.
Federal data shows fewer than 42,000 people were disqualified for SNAP fraud in fiscal year 2023 out of more than 42 million participants — less than 1% of recipients.
Food insecurity researchers say there is little evidence that fraud reduction explains the nearly 10% decline in participation.
Food Prices Continue to Rise
Although the U.S. economy showed moderate growth in 2025 and early 2026, many households continue to struggle with rising living costs.
Food prices increased 3.1% in 2025 and are expected to rise again this year. Experts say wage gains have not been enough to offset persistent poverty and high grocery costs for lower-income families.
SNAP Enrollment Fell Fast After New Law
SNAP participation dropped from about 42.8 million people in January 2025 to 38.5 million by January 2026.
Most of the decline happened after the new law took effect in July, supporting expert claims that stricter eligibility rules — not fraud or economic improvement — were the main reason millions lost food assistance.
For the latest on food access trends, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.