SNAP Enrollment Drops 300k In Single Month—Here Are Worst Impacted States - Newsweek

Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fell by more than 300,000 people in a single month, according to new data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

SNAP, the country's largest food assistance program, helps low- and no-income households pay for groceries. National enrollment has now declined for 16 consecutive months since March 2025, continuing a downward trend as major changes to the program are being implemented under President Donald Trump's administration.

The latest USDA figures show that about 36.35 million people received SNAP benefits in June 2026, the most recent month available, down from 36.69 million in May. Most states reported falling caseloads, although participation increased in a smaller number of states.

There is no single explanation for the decline in SNAP participation, but the downward trend has accelerated as states have begun dealing with significant eligibility and work requirement changes enacted under the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBBA) in July 2025.

The law expanded the group of adults subject to SNAP's requirement to complete at least 80 hours per month of work, training or other qualifying activities. The upper age limit increased from 59 to 64, bringing more able-bodied adults without dependents under the rules.

It also removed exemptions previously available to veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and former foster youth. Caregiver exemptions were narrowed as well, meaning some parents with children aged 14 or older can now be required to meet work or training conditions to continue receiving benefits.

Changes to eligibility rules can also affect participation through the administrative process. SNAP recipients have to provide required information and periodically recertify their eligibility, and households can lose benefits if they fail to complete these requirements.

As a result, falling caseloads do not necessarily mean every person leaving the program has experienced an increase in income and no longer require food stamps; some losses can result from eligibility, reporting or compliance requirements.

"SNAP is a means tested, appropriated entitlement. If a household is eligible, they receive the benefit," a USDA spokesperson told Newsweek. "However, those same households are subject to recertification. Individuals might move to employment, become disinterested in participating, or experience another change in household circumstances."

They added: "Therefore, the number of individuals receiving benefits is constantly changing and is not representative of any one policy. For example, multiple states have seen declines far before the enactment of H.R. 1. Every day, the Food and Nutrition Administration invests $385 million in low-income communities and people in need of nutrition assistance."

While the OBBBA mandated that the changes to eligibility requirements begin upon enactment, states have been given a period to realign to the new rules. As more and more states begin adopting the rules, the number of SNAP recipients in many states continues to drop.

However, SNAP participation has been continually declining since March 2025, prior to the OBBBA, suggesting that the new requirements are not the sole reason behind the shrinking numbers.

SNAP participation declined across more than half of all states in June 2026, with 34 of the 50 states recording fewer participants than in May. Sixteen states bucked the trend and saw increases in the number of participants.

Nationwide, SNAP participation fell from 36.69 million people in May to 36.35 million in June 2026, a drop of about 332,000 people, or 0.9 percent, according to the latest USDA data.

Compared with June 2025, the month before the OBBBA was passed, participation was down by more than 5.3 million people, or 12.8 percent.

Georgia recorded the largest fall between May and June, with participation dropping by 124,381 people, from 1.32 million to just under 1.2 million. The Peach State was followed by Texas, which lost 70,844 participants; Illinois on 46,197; New York on 38,539; and Michigan on 24,231.

In contrast, Florida recorded the largest rise, adding 68,036 SNAP participants in one month, taking its total from around 2.29 million to 2.36 million.

Virginia also recorded a large increase with 45,776 added, followed by Arizona on 11,563, Tennessee on 4,278 participants, and Colorado on 4,128.

While 34 states recorded month-on-month declines, 48 of the 50 states had fewer SNAP participants in June 2026 than a year earlier. Alaska and North Dakota were the only two states where SNAP participation was higher in June 2026 than in June 2025.

Texas recorded the largest decline, with 646,356 fewer participants than in June 2025. Florida followed with a decline of 570,055, while Arizona recorded 465,659 fewer participants.

California—despite continuing to have one of the country's largest SNAP programs—saw participation fall by 365,350 people.

Illinois rounded out the five largest declines, with 350,633 fewer participants than a year earlier.

Food banks, charities and those who work with low-income and disadvantaged Americans have been critical of the OBBBA and its impact on SNAP enrollment figures. They argue that it penalizes low-income Americans and make it harder for needy families to access support.

"These new SNAP rules penalize parents who are already stretched thin by creating additional red tape and paperwork requirements for them to complete each month," Anne Filipic, CEO of Share Our Strength, told Newsweek.

"Families with the least amount of time are at the greatest risk of losing access to SNAP if they can't navigate all these hurdles. The need for SNAP has not gone away, but the entire family has less food in the fridge because of these new requirements."