Where SNAP cuts in Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" could hit Americans hardest
The big picture: It would mark a historic cut to the social safety net that Republicans claim weeds out waste, fraud and abuse — but experts say the restructuring of assistance programs could leave more people hungry and uninsured.
Context: Trump's signature policy bill adjusts work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the country's largest nutrition assistance program.
In order to keep their benefits under the Senate-passed version of the bill, parents of children aged 14 or older would have to meet work requirements. The bill also bumps the work requirement age up to 64.
Currently, SNAP's requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents apply to those between 18 and 54.
It could also force some states to shoulder more benefit costs, the rate of which would be set by a state's percent of erroneous payments. Benefits are currently 100% federally funded, though states share administrative costs.
Threat level: Medicaid and food aid cuts could also lead to lead to job losses and hits to state GDPs, Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick writes.
Zoom out: In March 2025, more than 42 million Americans participated in SNAP, according to initial USDA data.
The program provides crucial support for families with low-paying jobs, low-income older adults, people with disabilities and others.
According to a CBPP analysis of FY 2024 USDA data, more than 62% of SNAP participants are in families with children, and more than 38% are in working families.
New Mexico has the largest share participating in SNAP, with some 21% of the population helped by the program, according to preliminary March data.
By the numbers: The bill would reduce nutrition funding, which includes SNAP, by around $186 billion between 2025 and 2034.
While analyst's projections have fluctuated as the legislation's provisions are tweaked, analysts have indicated millions of people could be cut from SNAP under the work requirement provisions.
CBPP points to a CBO indication that more than 2 million people would be cut from SNAP under the work requirement provision.
While the CBPP notes that revised legislation released June 25 slightly modified several SNAP provisions in the reconciliation plan, it still says more than 5 million people live in households at risk of losing at least some food assistance.
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