USDA Proposes SNAP Rule That Could Cut 6.3 Million People
United States
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
Source Analysis
What Happened
Key Implications
What Happened
Key Implications
Where Sources Disagree
- arrows_outputSNAP Eligibility Rule Justification: The administration argues the proposed SNAP rule standardizes eligibility to preserve benefits for the truly needy. However, critics characterize the move as heartless and cruel, warning it will strip food assistance from millions of vulnerable Americans.
- arrows_outputSNAP Benefit Loss Estimates: Some sources report that 5.5 million people lost SNAP benefits following the 2025 legislation, while other outlets cite a figure of 5.1 million.
- arrows_outputSNAP Benefit Cut Estimates: The USDA projects its proposed SNAP rule will reduce federal spending by $44.6 billion over five years. In contrast, Rep. Salud Carbajal cites an analysis reporting the proposal would result in $50.82 billion in benefit cuts over the same period.
Timeline
November 10, 2026
Agency projects 6.3M cut: Alongside the proposal the Agriculture Department released an analysis estimating the rule would strip about 6.3 million people from SNAP in fiscal year 2029, reduce related program spending by roughly $44–$50+ billion over multiple years, and remove nearly 1.8 million children from automatic free school meal eligibility. The agency quantified both enrollment and budget impacts in its published analysis.
November 10, 2026
USDA unveils new SNAP proposal: On November 10, 2026, the Trump administration published a proposed USDA rule to narrow 'broad-based categorical eligibility,' which the agency said would remove automatic SNAP eligibility for many households and cut participation further. The proposal was presented as a move to tighten eligibility and reduce program reach.
July 01, 2025
July 2025 SNAP cuts: In July 2025, Congress and the administration enacted legislation that sharply tightened SNAP rules, triggering immediate enrollment losses — more than 5 million people lost benefits and nationwide enrollment fell to about 36 million. Advocates and state officials reported large drops in participation and program strain following those changes.
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Source Analysis
Timeline
November 10, 2026
Agency projects 6.3M cut: Alongside the proposal the Agriculture Department released an analysis estimating the rule would strip about 6.3 million people from SNAP in fiscal year 2029, reduce related program spending by roughly $44–$50+ billion over multiple years, and remove nearly 1.8 million children from automatic free school meal eligibility. The agency quantified both enrollment and budget impacts in its published analysis.
November 10, 2026
USDA unveils new SNAP proposal: On November 10, 2026, the Trump administration published a proposed USDA rule to narrow 'broad-based categorical eligibility,' which the agency said would remove automatic SNAP eligibility for many households and cut participation further. The proposal was presented as a move to tighten eligibility and reduce program reach.
July 01, 2025
July 2025 SNAP cuts: In July 2025, Congress and the administration enacted legislation that sharply tightened SNAP rules, triggering immediate enrollment losses — more than 5 million people lost benefits and nationwide enrollment fell to about 36 million. Advocates and state officials reported large drops in participation and program strain following those changes.
