Trump administration's new proposal spells SNAP reduction for millions
The Trump administration is proposing a new rule that may make it more difficult for US citizens to access the vital Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The proposal, set out by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), could see over six million people lose benefits as the Republicans attempt to limit a provision called ‘broad-based categorical eligibility’ (BBCE).
The latter allows families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to qualify for SNAP benefits, even if they exceed the threshold for the program, as per ABC News.
Around 45 states have adopted this practice, allowing working families who spend most of their income on necessary expenses, like rent or child care, to receive help in the form of affordable groceries.
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The plan, laid out in a proposed rule, was published on Tuesday, with the government seeking public comment until next month.
If Donald Trump and co. are successful, SNAP rules would be tightened in just over two years, with benefits being cut by roughly $15 billion a year once it is phased in.
The proposal would terminate SNAP for households with gross incomes even slightly above 130 percent of the poverty line (about $35,500 per year for a family of three), making it harder for states to administer SNAP to people in need, as outlined by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Ty Jones Cox, Vice President for Food Assistance, said that the proposed rule creates ‘more administrative burdens for states, undermining their efforts to improve their error rates’.
“This could not come at a worse time — the 2025 Republican reconciliation law will require most states to pay between 5 and 15 percent of the cost of SNAP benefits for the first time based on their error rate,” he lamented.
“Taking away an important tool to streamline program administration and reduce errors will worsen incentives for states to further cut their SNAP programs, putting vital food assistance for low-income families at risk of even more cuts.
In a statement to ABC News, the USDA said: “Broad-based categorical eligibility has bloated the welfare rolls for decades. It has allowed States to take short cuts, error rates to balloon, and those with income and assets far above federal limits access to a benefit meant for the neediest among us."
The proposed move comes in addition to the estimated five million people who were already terminated from SNAP under the 2025 law known as the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’.
Under the new proposal, it’s estimated that two million people could be removed from free school meals if families fail to meet the new income eligibility requirements.
Moreover, other nutrition assistance programs, including the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, could also forfeit eligibility, the outlet stated.
Ella Scott
