WASHINGTON (AURN News) — More than 4 million people have lost SNAP food assistance since the Republican tax-and-spending law took effect last July, according to new tracking data from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
The decline represents a 10% nationwide drop in SNAP participation during the first eight months after the law took effect.
SNAP participation has declined in every state. Arizona saw the steepest decline, with enrollment cut by roughly half. Louisiana, Florida and Oklahoma also saw double-digit declines.
Children account for a disproportionate share of those losing benefits. In the 17 states with available data, about 1 million children have lost SNAP benefits since the law passed, accounting for nearly half of all people cut from the program in those states.
Researchers say the decline is not driven by reduced need for food assistance. Instead, they point to the law’s expanded work requirements, which now apply to older adults and parents of teenagers.
The Congressional Budget Office projects the law will reduce SNAP spending by nearly $187 billion through 2034.
Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.
