The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Tuesday proposed a rule that would end a policy allowing millions of people to qualify for food assistance under expanded eligibility criteria. The change, published in the Federal Register on Nov. 10, would take full effect in 2029 and is estimated to remove 6.3 million people from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), according to USDA projections.
The proposal also projects that 2 million children would lose access to free school meals if their families no longer meet the new income thresholds. The rule targets the use of broad-based categorical eligibility, a pathway that currently allows 46 states to extend SNAP benefits to households with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level, compared to the standard 130% threshold under federal SNAP rules.
Under current guidelines, states can qualify households for SNAP if they receive certain non-cash benefits funded by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, even if those benefits are minimal, such as informational pamphlets or referral services. The proposed rule would eliminate this pathway, requiring households to meet standard SNAP income and asset limits regardless of TANF-funded assistance.
USDA Rationale
The USDA states the change aims to restore the original purpose of categorical eligibility, which was designed to simplify applications for households already receiving cash assistance. The agency argues the current system has expanded eligibility beyond the program’s intended scope. A USDA spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment on the timeline or implementation details.
Impact on Households
The proposal would affect households earning up to $66,000 annually for a family of four in the contiguous U.S. and Washington, D.C., under the 2026 federal poverty guidelines. This compares to the standard SNAP limit of $42,900 for the same household size. The USDA estimates 17.6% of SNAP participants—or 6.3 million people—would lose benefits in fiscal year 2029 if the rule is finalized.
Political Responses
The proposal has drawn immediate criticism from Democratic lawmakers. Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) stated on social media platform X that the policy reflects "policies rooted in cruelty." No Republican lawmakers or administration officials have publicly commented on the proposal as of publication.
Background on SNAP Eligibility
SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, serves approximately 36.1 million people as of July 2026, the most recent data available. Broad-based categorical eligibility was introduced to reduce administrative burdens for states and applicants, but critics argue it has expanded program costs and eligibility beyond congressional intent. The USDA has not provided an estimate of potential savings from the rule change.
The public has 60 days to submit comments on the proposal before it enters the final rulemaking phase. The USDA has not indicated whether the rule will be modified based on feedback.