MILLIONS of Americans are now at risk of losing their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits after the government announced a major revamp.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced changes to the SNAP program on Sept. 4 in accordance with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act issued in July.
The bill, signed by President Donald Trump, includes provisions that affect SNAP benefits, program administration and eligibility, the USDA said.
Modifications were made to the provision of individuals subjected to time-limited work requirements.
One of the changes includes an increase in the upper age exception for able-bodied adults without dependents to 65 and older.
The crackdown also includes limits and removal of certain exceptions. The exception for parents caring for a dependent child under the age of 14 is now limited.
Exceptions were removed for veterans, individuals who are homeless, and people under the age of 24 who aged out of foster care.
New exceptions were established in the modification based on the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.
There are now exceptions made for “Urban Indian,” “an Indian” and “California Indian.”
Nearly three million SNAP benefit recipients in Florida are expected to be impacted, the USDA told local Tampa outlet WTSP.
The USDA said during the 2022 fiscal year, over 2.7 million people received SNAP benefits in Florida, with over 1.1 million of them being children.
The Florida Policy Institute estimated about 1.6 million households in the sunshine state can lose between $79 and $144 per month due to the changes.
FOOD BANKS UNDER STRESS
With the changes to the SNAP program, it’s likely people will turn to local food banks for help.
Shannon Hannon-Oliviero, a member of Feeding Tampa Bay, told WTSP she expects more people will come to their food bank.
“We will have a lot more people come into our care because of the changes in SNAP,” she said. “We’re just not sure because of the rollout is spread out over time and we just need to keep our eyes and ears open and adjust how we need to.”
Kelli Casto of Produce Pac, a Florida community produce market that served over 96,000 people in 2024, said she created the storefront for people on SNAP to utilize.
What are SNAP benefits?
Over 41 million people in America receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits each month.
SNAP provides food benefits to low-income households to help people get groceries.
Recipients get money on a debit card that can be used at grocery stores and farmers markets.
The amount of money distributed depends on several factors including how much money you make, how much money you receive from other benefits, and how many people are in your household.
The electronic benefits can help people buy food including food and vegetables, meat, fish, dairy products, breads, cereals, and snacks.
You can’t use SNAP to buy alcohol, cigarettes, hot foods, or cooking utensils.
Source: USDA
“But unfortunately, I haven’t really had that many SNAP participants since I opened this store,” Casto told WTSP.
“Somebody doesn’t need to go on another list. We need more immediate resources in our community so when individuals are coming through for help for things that are shifting, they can get the help that they need,” she continued.
Florida isn’t the only state where food banks are anticipating an influx of visitors.
“We anticipate we’re going to see an increase because it is really going to affect many families,” Vicki Meyer, coordinator of the Lowville’s food pantry in New York, said in an interview with WWNYTV.
“Their food dollars are not going to go as far as they had in the past. We may see families knocking on our door more often. Right now, they’re allowed to come once every 30 days,” she continued.
“We’re just going to do our best and hope we can continue to provide food,” Meyer added.
‘BREAKING POINT’
Food banks are also being impacted by these changes as some organizations are experiencing lessened federal support–making the likely increase of food bank visitors more stressful.
“Food banks are absolutely stretched to the breaking point right now. Fundraising is down significantly from the pandemic era fundraising, and the lines are longer than they have been in over a decade,” Chief Government Relations Officer with Feeding America Vince Hall said.
“Food banks have been operating at superhero rates. It’s not sustainable,” said Gina Plata-Nino, the deputy director of SNAP for the Food Research and Action Center.
“No sort of food bank, no sort of philanthropy, can meet the need or fill in the gap that the federal government is taking away.”
