New rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are raising alarms among anti-hunger groups after many families briefly lost access to benefits during the recent federal government shutdown.
Advocates warn that combining tighter eligibility and purchase rules with recent payment delays could push more low-income households into food insecurity.
New SNAP Restrictions
During the shutdown, at least 25 states reported that November SNAP payments would be reduced, delayed, or paused, leaving millions uncertain about how they would buy food. In some states, new applications and recertifications were temporarily put on hold until courts or federal officials ordered payments to resume.
Officials and researchers say even a short break in benefits can force families to skip meals, turn to food banks, or choose between groceries, rent, and medicine, according to ABC News.
Although the shutdown has ended and full benefits were ordered restored, many households are now facing new SNAP restrictions that could shrink access in the months ahead. Expanded work rules for so‑called able-bodied adults without dependents are expected to reduce the number of people receiving SNAP over time, especially those who cannot consistently meet the new hour and reporting requirements.
Some states are also moving to limit what items can be purchased, including bans or limits on soda, candy, and some energy drinks.
Advocates say families who lost benefits during the shutdown may now struggle to re-enroll or fix paperwork problems created during the pause. Caseworkers in some states report longer wait times and heavier caseloads as they work through backlogs of missed interviews and delayed renewals.
Policy experts warn that even small administrative errors, like a missed letter or phone call, could now lead to benefit cuts under stricter rules.
Putting Millions of Americans at Risk
Experts say interruptions and cuts come at a time when food prices and housing costs remain high, stretching already tight budgets, Bloomberg reported. Food banks in several regions have reported large spikes in demand, with some organizations seeing surges of up to many times their usual traffic after SNAP changes.
Community groups caution that charitable food systems cannot fully replace federal nutrition aid when millions lose or see reductions in assistance.
Researchers who study food insecurity warn that children and people with chronic illnesses may face the greatest risks from disrupted or reduced benefits. Studies link SNAP cuts to increased difficulty affording not only food but also other basic needs, and to higher rates of food insufficiency among households with children.
Public health experts say the recent shutdown and new restrictions highlight how quickly families can be put at risk when a key safety net program is halted or scaled back, as per Urban Institute.
