Trump Moves to Cut Snap Benefits

GRAND RAPIDS, MI. - The Trump administration, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), proposed a new rule that could cut Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for approximately 6.3 million people. This action aims to end "broad-based categorical eligibility," a policy allowing states to automatically qualify households for SNAP based on their receipt of certain other forms of public assistance.

The USDA issued the proposed rule, which would limit automatic SNAP eligibility to households receiving direct cash assistance through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The department estimates these changes could result in 3.2 million households, or about 17.6% of SNAP participants, losing their benefits by fiscal year 2029. This move projects a reduction in federal SNAP spending by approximately $44.65 billion over five years, from fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

The Trump administration previously attempted to narrow categorical eligibility with a similar rule proposed in 2019. However, the Biden administration withdrew that proposal in 2021. The USDA stated that the current proposed rule would "preserve benefits for the truly needy" and align SNAP with limits set by Congress.

A significant consequence of the proposed rule involves other nutrition programs, as an estimated 1.8 million children would lose automatic eligibility for free school meals. Of these, 28,000 children could lose free school meals entirely, and about 42,000 children could lose Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) benefits starting in summer 2029. Minnesota Democratic Representative Angie Craig criticized the proposal, stating it would "make it harder to meet basic needs." The proposed rule was published on November 10, 2026, and remains open for public comment until December 10, 2026.