More than 1 million children across the US have lost access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits since Congress approved the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in July 2025, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP). This massive reduction has drawn attention to the ongoing crisis in federal food assistance.
Key Findings from the CBPP Report
The CBPP analysis found that more than 4 million Americans were removed from SNAP from July 2025 to March 2026, marking a significant decline in participation. The steep drop is largely tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which tightened eligibility rules and increased state screening requirements.
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| State | Children Losing SNAP Benefits | Percent of Enrolled Children Removed |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Over 450,000 total residents (including children) | Half of state enrollment |
| Louisiana | Nearly 1 in 4 children | ~25% |
| Massachusetts | Close to 1 in 5 children | ~20% |
| Texas | Close to 1 in 5 children | ~20% |
Impact on Children
Children make up a significant portion of those losing benefits. The report studied 19 states and found over 1 million children now without SNAP assistance. This represents a sharp reversal from earlier trends of increasing food aid enrollment.
- Arizona recorded the largest overall enrollment drop after the bill became law.
- In Louisiana, nearly one in four children receiving SNAP lost assistance.
- Massachusetts and Texas each saw close to one-fifth of children removed.
- State data through May shows more than 450,000 Arizonans have come off SNAP, cutting participation in half.
How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Changed SNAP
The legislation shifted a substantial share of SNAP benefit costs to states based on their payment error rates. This created financial pressure for states to tighten eligibility screening and remove participants. The CBPP warned that the situation would continue to deteriorate unless Congress intervenes.
"Without immediate congressional action to delay this cost shift for all states, the un" (report continues). The program, commonly referred to as food stamps, remains the country’s largest food assistance program, providing monthly benefits to low-income and no-income households for groceries.
FAQ
What is the One Big Beautiful Bill Act?
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a 2025 Republican reconciliation law that tightened SNAP eligibility rules and shifted benefit costs to states, leading to millions losing food assistance.
How many children lost SNAP benefits?
According to the CBPP report, more than 1 million children across 19 studied states lost SNAP benefits after the bill passed.
Which states were hit hardest?
Arizona had the largest drop in overall enrollment, while Louisiana, Massachusetts, and Texas saw high percentages of children removed from the program.
The CBPP analysis underscores the urgent need for congressional action to prevent further erosion of the federal food safety net for vulnerable families and children.