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5 Million Lose Food Assistance as New Federal Rules Take Effect

Nearly 5 million recipients have lost Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits since July, representing approximately 9% of the program's beneficiaries, according to analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The losses stem from stricter eligibility requirements, particularly enhanced work mandates, contained in recent federal legislation signed into law. The law also transferred certain administrative costs and responsibilities to individual states. Some states are reporting sharper-than-expected declines in participation as implementation continues. The changes coincide with rising food and fuel costs, straining household budgets nationwide. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York has documented a marked uptick in food insecurity as low-income families contend simultaneously with reduced federal aid and elevated grocery prices. With nearly 42 million people receiving benefits in fiscal 2025, states anticipate additional enrollment losses in coming months.