6.3 Million Americans Could Lose SNAP Benefits Under New Trump Plan

Millions of American families could soon find it harder to afford groceries as the Trump administration moves forward with another proposed change to the country’s largest food assistance program.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has introduced a new rule that could remove approximately 6.3 million people from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps.

The proposal, published November 10, 2026, would change how states determine eligibility for food assistance. It specifically targets a policy that currently allows some households receiving other government assistance to qualify for SNAP more easily.

According to the USDA’s impact analysis, approximately 17.6% of current SNAP participants could lose their benefits under the proposed changes by 2029.

The announcement comes as millions of Americans continue dealing with grocery costs and other household expenses. It also follows previous federal changes that have already reduced access to food assistance.

However, the proposal is not an immediate cut. It must first go through a public comment period before the administration can finalize it.

Here’s what the new rule would change, who it could affect, and what it means for families relying on food stamps.

Why the Trump Administration Wants to Change SNAP Eligibility

At the center of the proposal is a policy known as Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE).

This policy lets states expand SNAP eligibility by linking certain households to other government assistance programs.

One program involved is Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), which provides support to low-income families with children.

Under current rules, receiving certain TANF-funded benefits or services, including childcare assistance and employment support, can help a household qualify for SNAP.

This arrangement allows states to simplify the application process and extend food assistance to some families who might otherwise exceed federal income or resource limits.

The Trump administration wants to narrow that flexibility.

Under the proposed rule, households would generally need to receive qualifying TANF assistance as defined under federal regulations to benefit from categorical eligibility.

Simply receiving certain noncash services or assistance funded through TANF would no longer automatically provide the same pathway into SNAP.

The USDA argues that the current system has expanded eligibility beyond what federal lawmakers originally intended.

In its proposal, the agency says the changes would help ensure that SNAP benefits reach households that meet the program’s intended eligibility standards.

More Than 6 Million People Could Lose Food Assistance

The biggest concern about the proposal is how many people it could affect.

According to the USDA’s regulatory impact analysis, approximately 3.2 million households containing 6.3 million individuals could lose SNAP eligibility in fiscal year 2029.

That represents approximately 17.6% of current SNAP participants.

In other words, nearly one in five people currently receiving food assistance could be affected if the proposal becomes final.

The projected losses would primarily involve households that currently qualify through broader state eligibility policies but exceed the federal income or resource requirements for SNAP.

Importantly, these figures are projections, not a list of people who have already lost their benefits.

The actual impact will depend on the final rule, state implementation, and individual household circumstances.

The administration’s proposal also estimates that federal SNAP benefit spending would decline by approximately $44.6 billion over five years.

For the government, that represents substantial savings.

For affected households, however, losing monthly grocery assistance could mean stretching already limited budgets even further.

Families Receiving Childcare Assistance Could Be Affected

One key detail is that some affected families may already receive other forms of government support.

For example, imagine a single mother raising two children.

She works part-time, receives childcare assistance through a TANF-funded program, and also qualifies for SNAP under her state’s broader eligibility rules.

Under the current system, that connection to another assistance program may help her household qualify for food benefits.

Under the proposed changes, receiving childcare support alone may no longer provide the same automatic eligibility pathway.

If her household income or resources exceed federal SNAP limits, she could lose access to food assistance.

This matters because childcare expenses can consume a substantial portion of a working parent’s income.

The administration argues that households should meet SNAP’s federal eligibility requirements rather than qualify through certain indirect connections to other programs.

Critics, however, say the change could remove grocery assistance from working families who still struggle to cover basic expenses.

Nearly 2 Million Children Could Be Affected by the Changes

The proposed rule could also affect more than household grocery budgets.

According to the USDA’s analysis, approximately 1.8 million children could lose automatic eligibility for free school meals because their households would no longer qualify for SNAP through categorical eligibility.

This does not necessarily mean all those children would lose access to free lunches.

The USDA estimates that nearly all could still qualify for free or reduced-price school meals if their families submit separate applications and meet the relevant requirements.

However, requiring families to complete additional paperwork could create another challenge.

Parents who already struggle with complicated benefit applications may have to provide additional income information and documentation to maintain their children’s meal assistance.

The proposal also identifies potential effects on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

Approximately 16,500 pregnant women, mothers, infants, and children could lose automatic eligibility and need to apply separately.

Another 5,500 WIC participants could lose eligibility under the projected changes.

These figures show how changing one food assistance policy can affect several programs that support low-income families.

More Than 36 Million Americans Currently Rely on SNAP

SNAP remains one of the most important safety-net programs in the United States.

It helps eligible households purchase groceries through monthly benefits loaded onto electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards.

Recipients can use these cards at participating grocery stores and other authorized retailers to purchase eligible food items.

According to Al Jazeera’s November 2026 reporting, more than 36 million Americans currently participate in the program.

For many households, SNAP provides an important source of support between paychecks.

It can help parents purchase groceries for their children, older adults afford meals, and workers manage household expenses when their earnings are insufficient.

The average monthly SNAP benefit was about $190 per person, with households receiving around $356.

Losing that assistance could force some families to make difficult decisions about their grocery spending.

For households already struggling with rent, utilities, transportation, and childcare, even a relatively modest monthly benefit can make a meaningful difference.

This Comes After Millions Already Lost SNAP Benefits

The latest proposal is not the first major change to food assistance under the Trump administration.

The 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill introduced significant changes to SNAP, including expanded work requirements and restrictions affecting certain immigrant groups.

Those changes have already cost millions of people access to benefits.

The new categorical eligibility proposal would create another potential reduction in participation.

However, these are separate policy changes.

The earlier legislation changed eligibility and work requirements through federal law. At the same time, the latest announcement involves a proposed USDA regulation targeting how states use TANF-funded assistance to establish categorical eligibility.

Together, the developments represent a significant shift in how the federal government approaches food assistance.

Why Some States Could Feel the Impact More Than Others

The proposed rule could affect states differently because they don’t all use SNAP eligibility policies in the same way.

Broad-based categorical eligibility has given states considerable flexibility in determining which households qualify for assistance.

According to the Associated Press, 41 states and Washington, D.C., currently use this flexibility.

Some states have used it to expand eligibility beyond traditional federal income and resource limits.

Under the new proposal, those states could have to revise their eligibility procedures.

That may involve reviewing existing cases, updating application systems, and determining which households continue to qualify.

The administrative changes could also create additional work for state agencies responsible for processing SNAP applications.

For recipients, this could mean more paperwork and providing financial information that wasn’t previously required for the same eligibility determination.

The impact will depend on how each state currently operates its program and how the final federal rule is written.

The USDA Says the Changes Are About Protecting SNAP Eligibility Rules

The Trump administration maintains that the proposal is intended to strengthen the integrity of food assistance.

The USDA argues that some states have used TANF-funded services to extend SNAP eligibility to households that exceed federal income or resource limits.

The agency says narrowing categorical eligibility would help ensure that benefits are directed toward households meeting the intended requirements.

Supporters of stricter eligibility rules argue that government assistance should follow consistent national standards.

They also believe that limiting the use of noncash TANF benefits could reduce opportunities for states to expand SNAP participation beyond federal limits.

However, opponents question whether removing assistance from working families is the right way to address concerns about program administration.

They argue that a household can earn more than the traditional federal SNAP income threshold and still struggle to afford groceries, particularly in areas with high housing and childcare costs.

The disagreement ultimately comes down to how the government should balance eligibility standards, state flexibility, administrative efficiency, and access to food assistance.

Critics Warn That Working Families Could Be Hurt

The proposal has already attracted criticism from Democratic lawmakers and anti-hunger advocates.

Angie Craig, a Democratic representative from Minnesota, criticized the administration’s approach, arguing that the changes could make it harder for families to meet basic needs.

Ty Jones Cox, vice president for food assistance at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, also raised concerns about the potential impact on households with children.

Advocates argue that receiving childcare assistance or employment support doesn’t necessarily mean a family has enough money to purchase groceries without additional help.

A parent could be working, receiving limited government assistance, and still face significant financial pressure.

They also warn that requiring families to apply separately for different programs could create administrative barriers.

Some eligible households may struggle to complete the additional paperwork or provide the required documentation within deadlines.

That could result in people losing assistance even when they might qualify under another eligibility pathway.

The Proposal Is Open for Public Comments Until December 10

Despite the headline-grabbing projections, SNAP recipients should understand that the proposed changes have not yet become final.

The USDA published the rule on November 10, 2026, and opened a 30-day public comment period.

Members of the public, advocacy organizations, state governments, and other interested parties can submit feedback before December 10, 2026.

Comments can be submitted through the federal government’s Regulations.gov website.

The proposal is listed under docket number FNA-2026-0661.

The USDA will consider public feedback before deciding how to proceed.

According to the administration’s analysis, the changes are expected to reach their full impact in fiscal year 2029 if finalized.

That means the projected loss of benefits is not scheduled to happen immediately.

People currently receiving SNAP should not assume their benefits will automatically stop because of this announcement.

Instead, they should continue following their state’s existing reporting and eligibility requirements while monitoring official updates.

What SNAP Recipients Should Do Now

For households currently receiving food assistance, staying informed is particularly important.

If the proposal eventually becomes final, some families may need to undergo additional eligibility reviews.

Recipients should keep important documents organized, including:

• Recent pay stubs and income records.
• Information about household members.
• Records of childcare expenses.
• Documentation of other government assistance.
• Current SNAP eligibility and renewal notices.

They should also respond promptly to requests from their state SNAP agency.

Anyone concerned about their eligibility can contact their local SNAP office for information about their individual circumstances.

Importantly, losing automatic eligibility through TANF does not necessarily mean someone is permanently disqualified from SNAP.

A household may still qualify by applying under the regular federal and state eligibility rules.