SNAP Child Participation Drops by Over 700,000 Following New Federal Cost-Shift Law
By
Luis Nuñez
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Summary
Since the enactment of the Republican reconciliation law (H.R. 1) in July 2025, the number of children receiving SNAP food assistance has dropped by over 700,000 across 12 states with available data, representing nearly half of the total 1.6-million-person decline. The sharp decrease is attributed to H.R. 1 shifting large SNAP benefit costs to states based on their payment error rates, leading states to implement measures that create barriers for eligible families. While cutting child SNAP eligibility was not an explicit goal, the cost shift and access barriers are resulting in significant losses of food assistance for low-income children.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledThe sharp participation declines likely reflect, in part, H.R. 1's shift of large SNAP benefit costs to states, with the amount states owe based on their payment error rate.
In the 12 states with available data, the number of children receiving SNAP food assistance has fallen by more than 700,000 since the Republican reconciliation law (H.R. 1) was enacted in July 2025.
While cutting SNAP eligibility for children was not a stated target of H.R. 1's proponents, the cost shift and access barriers are resulting in serious losses of food assistance for low-income children.
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