More than 1.2 million children have lost SNAP benefits since last July. Experts explain why

Key Points:

• Over 1.2 million children lost access to food aid through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) between July 2025 and 2026, with experts warning this decline is unlikely due to reduced need and is cause for concern.
• The drop in SNAP participation is linked to stricter work requirements and increased administrative burdens imposed by a 2025 tax and spending bill, which also shifted more program costs to states and cut at least $1 trillion from social safety net spending.
• Legal immigrants lost SNAP eligibility due to policy changes, and fears related to immigration enforcement may discourage eligible families from applying, further contributing to the decline in child participation.
• The reduction in SNAP benefits for children threatens their health and development, and may also impact eligibility for other nutrition programs like WIC and the National School Lunch Program, potentially reducing access to free school meals in low-income areas.
• The cancellation of the federal Household Food Security Report in 2023 limits future data availability on food insecurity, complicating efforts to monitor and address the issue amid falling SNAP enrollment.