Congress must act by September 30 to delay a 75% state cost shift for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or 5 million Americans—including 1.5 million children—will lose benefits after October 1. The funding change, part of the Republican-backed H.R. 1 (One Big Beautiful Bill), shifts administrative and benefit costs from the federal government to states over the next few years, prompting urgent calls from food assistance groups for a delay.
States face new financial strain as federal support wanes
Starting October 1, states will be required to cover 75% of SNAP administrative costs, with the federal funding burden for benefits gradually shifting to state budgets. Food assistance organizations warn that this change could destabilize the program, as states struggle to absorb the financial load. Dottie Rosenbaum, director of federal SNAP policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), told ABC News that the decline in SNAP participation—already affecting 5 million people—has outpaced Congressional Budget Office projections. The drop is attributed to stricter work requirements and administrative hurdles, including an expanded age limit for able-bodied adults without dependents (raised from 54 to 64) and reduced exemptions for parents caring for dependents (lowered from 18 to 14).
Work requirements and administrative changes drive participation decline
The CBPP reports that the 5 million-person reduction in SNAP enrollment since the law’s passage reflects a combination of policy shifts:
- Expanded work requirements: The upper age limit for able-bodied adults without dependents required to work or participate in training programs increased from 54 to 64.
- Reduced exemptions: Parents and caregivers of dependents now face stricter age thresholds (14 instead of 18) to qualify for exemptions.
- Administrative barriers: States have implemented stricter application and recertification processes, contributing to the decline in participation.
Funding uncertainty looms as states prepare for October deadline
The September 30 deadline for Congress to pass a resolution delaying the cost shift has intensified pressure on lawmakers. Food assistance advocates argue that states need more time to adjust to the financial burden, while critics of the delay warn that it could further strain federal resources. The CBPP has emphasized that the participation decline has been faster and deeper than anticipated, raising concerns about food insecurity for vulnerable populations.
Background: SNAP funding and recent policy shifts
SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, provides food assistance to low-income individuals and families. The program has faced funding lapses in the past, including a temporary lapse last fall. The cost shift introduced in H.R. 1 represents a significant departure from the program’s traditional federal funding model, placing a greater financial responsibility on states. Advocacy groups are urging Congress to act before the October 1 deadline to prevent further disruptions to the program.