Over 1 Million Children Lost SNAP Food Benefits After Trump Bill 2026

More than a 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). The analysis found that more than 4 million Americans were removed from SNAP from July 2025 to March 2026, marking a significant decline in participation in the federal food assistance program.

How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Reduced SNAP Enrollment

The legislation tightened eligibility rules for food assistance and increased state screening requirements. Arizona recorded the largest drop in enrollment after the bill became law. State data through May shows that more than 450,000 Arizonans have come off SNAP, cutting overall participation within the state in half.

According to the CBPP analysis, children make up a significant portion of those losing benefits, with more than 1 million children across the 19 states studied no longer receiving SNAP assistance. In Louisiana, nearly one in four children receiving SNAP benefits lost assistance. Massachusetts and Texas each saw close to one-fifth of children enrolled in the program removed from SNAP.

State-Level Impact on Children

Key Takeaways from the Report

• More than 4 million Americans lost SNAP benefits between July 2025 and March 2026.
• Over 1 million children in 19 states lost food assistance.
• The One Big Beautiful Bill Act shifted SNAP cost burdens to states based on payment error rates.
• Arizona saw the steepest decline, with overall participation cut in half.
• The CBPP warns the situation will worsen unless Congress intervenes.

Why This Matters for Families

SNAP, commonly referred to as food stamps, provides monthly benefits to low-income and no-income households to help pay for groceries. It remains the country’s largest food assistance program. The steep decline in participation is likely tied in large part to the 2025 Republican reconciliation law, which shifted a substantial share of SNAP benefit costs to states based on their payment error rates.

The report says the decline will continue to deteriorate unless Congress acts. “Without immediate congressional action to delay this cost shift for all states, the un…” (the excerpt cuts off, but the implication is clear: more children and families will face food insecurity).

FAQ