SNAP Enrollment Drops as Work Requirements Expand
SNAP enrollment fell by 5 million as work requirements expanded under Trump’s policies.
2 min read
Enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, has dropped by over 5 million since May 2025, according to recent data. The decline, from 42.2 million to 36.6 million recipients, reflects a 13 percent reduction. This shift has been attributed to the implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed by President Trump in July 2025, which introduced expanded work requirements for SNAP beneficiaries.
Work Requirements and Economic Growth
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins hailed the decline as a significant achievement, noting that it was due to a stronger economy and the removal of individuals who were no longer eligible for benefits. She stated that moving 5 million people off food stamps was a “pretty big win.”
Alongside the decline in SNAP enrollment, there has been a surge in private-sector job growth. In October 2026, employers added 165,000 jobs, with 159,000 of those in the private sector. Unemployment dropped from 4.4 percent in September 2025 to 4.1 percent in October 2026, indicating a robust labor market.
Democrats Criticize Policy Changes
Democrats have expressed strong opposition to the changes, arguing that the policies are taking food from vulnerable groups. Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota, the ranking Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee, stated that “withholding food from hungry children, seniors, people with disabilities and veterans is a choice.” She criticized the administration for “bragging about taking food away from millions of Americans,” calling it “disgusting.”
The policy also imposes work requirements on recipients aged 18 to 64 without exemptions. Those who fail to meet the 80-hour monthly requirement are limited to three months of benefits within a three-year period. The law also expanded the age range for the requirement to include parents of children up to 17 and removed exemptions for homeless individuals, veterans, and former foster youth under 24.
Child Enrollment and Fraud Enforcement
Child enrollment in SNAP also saw a decline, with a reported drop of 776,134 children in 12 states. Rollins disputed these figures, stating that the 700,000 number of children is not correct. Additionally, the administration has pursued fraud in the program, with USDA making over 900 arrests related to SNAP violations.
The law also shifts a portion of SNAP benefit costs to states with higher payment error rates. Starting in October 2027, these states will be required to cover between 5 and 15 percent of SNAP benefits, depending on their error rates.
Source: The Gateway Pundit
