SNAP Benefits Reduction for Children Across Multiple States

Impact of OBBBA on SNAP Benefits

Over a million children across 19 states lost access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits after the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) passed in July 2025. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) provides these insights amid a nationwide decline in SNAP enrollment. From early 2025 to April 2026, participants fell from 42 million to just over 37 million, leaving approximately 5 million recipients off the program. This change followed significant adjustments to SNAP under the Trump administration.

CBPP’s analysis indicates children account for a large portion of this decrease, with over 1.06 million losing benefits across the examined states.

SNAP, commonly called food stamps, monthly assists low-income households in purchasing groceries and remains the largest food assistance initiative in the U.S.

Overall Decline in SNAP Participation

The study reveals a total drop of nearly 2.44 million SNAP recipients across 19 states, equivalent to a 12% decline since OBBBA’s introduction as law. Within this decline, children experienced a 13% reduction in participation, amounting to over 1.06 million individuals. Consequently, children composed 44% of all SNAP losses investigated.

Texas witnessed the largest decrease in both total participation and child enrollment, with 597,353 fewer participants, among them 317,316 children. Children constituted 53% of the state’s overall decline.

Meanwhile, Arizona showed the highest overall percentage drop, with participation plunging 48% and child enrollment decreasing by 49%. Here, 182,058 fewer children received benefits, representing 42% of the state’s total reductions.

California, home to a significant SNAP population, saw a decrease of 333,062 recipients overall, including 156,440 children. Children represented 47% of California’s total decline.

Louisiana experienced one of the largest proportional drops, with participation declining 21% and child enrollment dropping 23%, indicating that children comprise 48% of Louisiana’s overall reduction.

Though drastic reductions occurred in certain states, the decline was extensive nationwide. States such as Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Pennsylvania reported overall declines of 7% to 13%.

States with the Highest Share of Child Enrollment Loss

New Jersey led in states where children represented the largest share in enrollment loss, with children accounting for 61% of the decline. It was followed by South Dakota at 57%, New Mexico at 56%, and Texas at 53%. In contrast, Pennsylvania saw one of the smallest children’s shares at 28%, with Alabama and Maine at 29% each.

Reasons Behind SNAP Enrollment Reduction

Changes in SNAP participation are linked to alterations implemented under OBBBA, also recognized as H.R. 1, effective from July 2025 onward.

One notable policy shift involved broadening work requirements applicable to adults up to age 64. Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) must adhere to expanded employment or training stipulations to maintain SNAP eligibility.

The act also removed certain exemptions previously applicable to various groups, including veterans, homeless individuals, and former foster youth, integrating them into the work requirement framework. Additionally, caregiver exemptions became stricter, mandating some parents with children aged 14 and older to meet work or training conditions to continue receiving SNAP benefits.

The USDA, responsible for program oversight, explained to Newsweek that SNAP eligibility requires recertification, meaning enrollment numbers fluctuate as individuals move into employment or decide against participation. Therefore, participation levels tend to vary and are not easily attributed to a single policy. Notably, multiple states had seen enrollment dips before H.R. 1’s enactment.

Potential for Continued Participation Decline

CBPP holds that losses are associated with changes affecting beneficiaries and adjustments in SNAP funding.

“The sharp participation declines likely reflect, in part, the 2025 Republican reconciliation law’s shift of large SNAP benefit costs to states, with the amount states owe based on their payment error rate,” CBPP stated.

CBPP added, “Without immediate congressional action to delay this cost shift for all states, the unfolding emergency will only worsen as more children are cut off from the food assistance their families need to afford nutritious food.”

The USDA emphasized OBBBA’s role in ensuring states issue accurate benefits to eligible households.

“To date, states are issuing more than $27 million per day in erroneous food stamp benefits—this is program waste and a slap in the face to the taxpayer,” according to the department. “Congress rightfully attached accountability to this egregious behavior.”

Moreover, CBPP contends broader economic conditions do not fully explain this steep participation reduction.

“While it’s uncertain which factors are the primary drivers of the participation decline in these states, those declines cannot be explained by an improvement in people’s economic well-being,” CBPP stated.

CBPP highlighted various indicators, noting stable national unemployment, year-over-year real wage declines as of April, persistent food insecurity during 2025, and rising grocery prices.