More than 1 million children in 19 states have lost access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits since the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was enacted in July 2025. This analysis from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) reveals a considerable drop in SNAP enrollment nationwide.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), SNAP participation decreased from approximately 42 million people in early 2025 to just over 37 million by April 2026. This significant decline of 5 million recipients correlates with major changes to the federal food assistance program during the Trump administration.

Analysis of SNAP Enrollment Decline

The CBPP analysis indicates that children represent a substantial portion of this decline, with over 1.06 million losing benefits across the states examined. SNAP provides monthly food assistance to low- and no-income households, making it the largest food assistance program in the United States.

State-Specific Findings

SNAP participation dropped by nearly 2.44 million participants across 19 states, a 12% reduction since the law was enacted. Of these, more than 1.06 million were children, marking a 13% decrease in child participation. Children accounted for 44% of the total SNAP enrollment loss in these states.

Texas showed the largest decline in both overall participation and child enrollment, with 597,353 fewer SNAP recipients, including 317,316 fewer children. In Arizona, SNAP participation fell by 48%, including a 49% drop in child enrollment, equating to 182,058 fewer children receiving benefits.

California’s SNAP population, one of the largest in the nation, saw a decrease of 333,062 participants, including a loss of 156,440 child recipients, meaning children comprised 47% of its total decline. Louisiana experienced significant reductions with 21% fewer participants and a 23% decrease in child enrollment. Children made up 48% of Louisiana’s total decline.

The decreases were widespread across the country. States like Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Pennsylvania reported enrollment declines ranging from 7 to 13%. In New Jersey, children made up 61% of the state’s decline, followed by South Dakota (57%), New Mexico (56%), and Texas (53%). Pennsylvania saw one of the smallest shares of overall child losses, at 28%, followed by Alabama and Maine, both at 29%.

Reasons Behind Declining SNAP Enrollment

The fall in participation stems from changes introduced by the OBBBA, also referred to as H.R. 1, which imposes new work requirements for adults up to age 64. Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) must now meet specified employment or training criteria to maintain eligibility.

The law also eliminated exemptions that previously applied to veterans, homeless individuals, and former foster youth, incorporating them into the work requirement system. Additionally, caregiver exemptions have been limited, impacting parents with children aged 14 and older, who now face work or training obligations to keep receiving benefits.

A USDA spokesperson stated: “SNAP is a means-tested, appropriated entitlement. Eligible households receive the benefit,” emphasizing that participation fluctuates due to factors like employment, disinterest, or changes in household circumstances.

Future of SNAP Participation

The CBPP argues that participation declines are influenced by changes in how SNAP is financed, not just recipient-driven changes.

The organization highlights the 2025 Republican reconciliation law’s impact, which shifted significant SNAP costs to states, creating issues based on their payment error rates. The CBPP warns that without prompt congressional intervention to delay these cost shifts, the situation will worsen.

The USDA maintains that OBBBA holds states accountable for accurately distributing benefits to eligible households, addressing program waste.

The CBPP also remarks that broader economic conditions do not justify the marked decline in participation. Factors such as steady unemployment, a decrease in real wages, persistent food insecurity in 2025, and increasing grocery costs counter any potential improvement in economic conditions.