Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Food bank officials in the Northeast region of New York warn that tens of thousands of people may face increased hardship due to long-term effects of cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The cuts are expected to heighten demand for food bank resources.

Alaska’s food assistance program had the highest SNAP payment error rate in the U.S. for the fourth consecutive year in 2025, with 23% of payments in error compared to a national average of 11%. The state attributes the errors to complex eligibility rules, manual processes, and workforce challenges, while implementing a modernization plan to improve accuracy by 2028. The error rate has declined from 25% in 2024 and over 55% in 2023 and 2022.

Federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act could cost Minnesota up to $250 million annually. The law requires states with higher payment error rates to cover a larger share of SNAP costs, and Minnesota's error rate increased from 9% in 2024 to 12% in 2025. The state must now cover 75% of administrative costs for the program, up from 50%.

Maryland is expanding its energy assistance programs to help residents lower utility bills, with low-income households eligible for up to a 32% increase in benefits. The revised program covers up to 55% of annual heating costs and 47% of electric bills, supported by $48 million in supplemental grants through September. Governor Wes Moore emphasized the need to prevent families from choosing between energy costs and basic necessities.

President Donald Trump’s administration plans to launch Trump Accounts on July 4, providing $1,000 government contributions for children born during his second term. The program allows parents to open investment accounts for eligible children, with funds invested in U.S. equity index funds. Private donors like Michael Dell and Sanjay Mehrotra have pledged significant contributions to expand the initiative.

The federal government is suing Minnesota and three other states for not providing data on SNAP beneficiaries to investigate fraud, with Minnesota's DCYF arguing the request violates privacy. Minneapolis City Council Member Aisha Chughtai announced a leave of absence for mental health treatment, while Fosston's legal battle with Essentia Health over hospital control moves to arbitration. Storms damaged northern Minnesota ahead of Bemidji's Water Carnival.

Arkansas is proceeding with a ban on using SNAP benefits for candy and soda starting Wednesday, despite a federal judge's recent ruling that similar restrictions in other states violated federal law. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders cited public health concerns, including obesity and diabetes, as justification for the policy.

Arkansas will implement a ban on using SNAP benefits to purchase candy and soda despite a recent court ruling that invalidated similar restrictions in other states. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders cited public health concerns, including obesity and diabetes, as the rationale for the policy.

New York's outdated Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards lack modern fraud protection, leaving users vulnerable to unauthorized charges with no reimbursement. California reduced benefits theft by 76% using chip-and-tap cards and machine-learning fraud detection, highlighting viable solutions absent in New York.

A federal district court ruled that the USDA exceeded its legal authority by restricting certain foods from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The court's decision prevents the USDA from excluding specific 'junk food' items from SNAP benefits.

Missouri faces a potential $150 million cost for federal nutrition assistance if its SNAP error rate remains above 6% in 2027 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The state's SNAP error rate improved to 8.67% in fiscal year 2025, down from 9.42% in 2024 and 10.54% in 2023, but advocates warn disruptions during the 2025 government shutdown could raise the rate. The law requires states with error rates above 6% to cover 5-15% of SNAP benefits starting October 2027.

Tennessee could face a financial penalty of up to $171 million for its 9.44% SNAP payment error rate under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act starting October 2027. The state’s overpayment rate was 7.84%, and underpayment rate was 1.60%, exceeding Congress’s 6% goal. States with error rates between 8% and 10% must cover 10% of SNAP costs, which are typically federally funded.

The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee released a 2026 Farm Bill draft focusing on expanding crop insurance, shifting conservation program funding, and maintaining changes to SNAP from a 2025 Republican-led spending bill. The draft lacks provisions on livestock industry standards and ethanol labeling, and faces criticism from Democrats over continued SNAP cuts.

The U.S. Department of Justice is suing Minnesota for refusing to provide Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) data to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The lawsuit alleges Minnesota's noncompliance with USDA requests since May 2026 has enabled potential fraud and waste in SNAP administration. Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Kentucky are also being sued for similar reasons.

Minnesota faces potential millions in fines for rising payment errors in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), with a 56% increase in overpayment rates compared to the previous year. A USDA report ranks the state in the top half for SNAP overpayments in the 2025 Fiscal Year, risking financial penalties starting in October 2027.

Food stamp enrollment in the U.S. dropped by over 4 million people after new restrictions under a law enacted in July 2025. Minnesota's participation fell 3.55%, with a 12.58% error rate in SNAP payments, exceeding the federal threshold of 6%. The law requires states with high error rates to cover part of the program's cost, and the Senate's draft farm bill excludes a Democratic proposal to reverse this requirement.

The USDA released 2025 SNAP payment error rates, showing Wisconsin and eight other states with rates below 6% will avoid federal penalties requiring states to match 5-15% of benefits costs. Wisconsin’s 5.72% error rate will save up to $205 million in the 2027-28 fiscal year, while 18 states with higher error rates face penalties or must invest in error reduction.

Florida reduced its SNAP payment error rate to 12.97% but remains above the national average and the threshold under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), requiring a nearly $1 billion state contribution. The USDA highlighted accountability concerns, and the state plans to allocate $4 million to address errors in the 2026-27 budget.

Dozens of states may face financial penalties due to high error rates in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), while nine states with low error rates are exempt. A Trump-signed law requires states with 6% or higher error rates to cover a portion of SNAP benefits starting in 2027, shifting costs from federal to state budgets.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its annual Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payment error rates for fiscal year 2025. The report shows $10.1 billion in improper payments nationwide.

A federal judge ruled the government cannot block Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from being used to purchase candy and sugary drinks, citing violations of the law and the program's definition of 'food.' The decision affects 23 states where restrictions were planned or implemented as part of the 'Make America Healthy Again' campaign, which aimed to curb obesity and chronic diseases by limiting purchases of unhealthy items.

A federal judge ruled the government cannot block SNAP benefits from being used to purchase candy and sugary drinks, citing failure to follow its own definition of 'food.' The decision overturns restrictions in 23 states aimed at curbing obesity through dietary changes, part of a campaign by Agriculture and Health Secretaries to limit such purchases.

A federal judge temporarily blocked SNAP restrictions in Tennessee and other states, including limits on purchasing junk food like soda and candy. The ruling cited the USDA's incorrect use of federal law when approving state pilot projects aimed at improving health outcomes through restricted purchases.

A judge ruled the federal government cannot block SNAP benefits from purchasing candy and sugary drinks, striking down restrictions in 23 states. The decision cited violations of Congress's definition of 'food' under the SNAP program, which prohibits restrictions on items like alcohol and tobacco but allows most other food purchases.

A federal judge ruled that the government cannot restrict Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from being used to buy candy and sugary drinks, citing a legal conflict with Congress's definition of 'food.' The decision blocks restrictions in 23 states and challenges efforts by the Agriculture and Health Secretaries to promote healthier food choices through the 'Make America Healthy Again' campaign.

A federal judge has blocked bans on the usage of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for soda enacted by the Trump administration.

A federal judge blocked the Trump administration's bans on using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds for soda purchases, ruling that Congress did not authorize the agency to redefine 'food' or restrict its use.

Senate Republicans' farm bill proposal excludes Democrats' demand to delay a shift of food aid costs to states, risking bipartisan support. Democrats plan to oppose the bill without this delay, which is set to start in October 2027. The draft also omits Republican priorities like year-round E15 fuel sales and restrictions on state animal welfare laws.

A new analysis predicts Ohio will lose 51,000 jobs and $5.3 billion by 2029 due to cuts to Medicaid and food assistance under a 2025 spending law and Trump’s 'Big Beautiful Bill.' The cuts, which disproportionately affect low-income communities, are linked to expired Affordable Care Act subsidies and reduced federal funding, leading to job losses and economic decline.

Rising grocery prices and federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have increased hunger among Americans, with food pantries like Ritenour Co-Care Food Pantry near St. Louis adapting to higher costs and surging demand. Over 4 million Americans lost SNAP benefits since February 2025 due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which ended exemptions for work requirements, exacerbating food insecurity for vulnerable groups.

Rising grocery prices and federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have increased demand at food pantries like Ritenour Co-Care Food Pantry in Missouri. Over 4 million Americans lost SNAP benefits between February 2025 and this February due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which ended exemptions for work requirements for vulnerable groups.

Louisiana experienced a 22% drop in children receiving SNAP benefits, with national data showing a 776,000 decline in children enrolled in the program since a 2025 policy change. The reforms, promoted by lawmakers as protecting vulnerable groups, led to reduced accessibility due to stricter requirements, according to experts.

Rising grocery prices and federal cuts to food assistance programs have increased hunger in the U.S., with food pantries like Ritenour Co-Care Food Pantry adapting by substituting cheaper proteins and facing higher demand. Over 4 million Americans lost SNAP benefits between February 2025 and February 2026 due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which ended exemptions for work requirements, exacerbating food insecurity.

Rising grocery prices and federal cuts to food assistance programs have increased hunger in the U.S., with food pantries like Ritenour Co-Care adapting by offering cheaper alternatives. Over 4 million Americans lost SNAP benefits between February 2025 and February 2026 due to policy changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which eliminated work requirement exemptions for vulnerable groups. Tennessee alone lost 100,000 SNAP recipients since fall 2025.

Rising grocery prices and federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have increased demand at food pantries like Ritenour Co-Care Food Pantry near St. Louis. Over 4 million Americans lost SNAP benefits between February 2025 and February 2026 due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which ended exemptions for work requirements, straining the charitable food system and vulnerable populations.

Rising grocery prices and federal food assistance cuts are increasing hunger in the U.S., with food pantries like Ritenour Co-Care Food Pantry struggling to meet surging demand. Over 4 million Americans lost SNAP benefits between February 2025 and this February due to stricter work requirements under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Rising grocery prices and federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have increased hunger in the U.S., with food pantries like Ritenour Co-Care Food Pantry in Missouri struggling to meet demand. Over 4 million Americans lost SNAP benefits since February 2025 due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which eliminated exemptions for work requirements, affecting vulnerable groups like the elderly and homeless.

Rising grocery prices and federal cuts to food assistance programs have increased demand at food pantries like Ritenour Co-Care Food Pantry near St. Louis. Over 4 million Americans lost Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits between February 2025 and 2026, with Tennessee alone losing 100,000 recipients due to new work requirements under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed by President Donald Trump.

North Carolina's Attorney General Jeff Jackson and AGs from 22 other states are urging Congress to reverse changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) introduced by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The Act added work requirements for seniors and parents and required states to contribute to SNAP benefits in some cases.

Louisiana has expanded its Carrot Initiative to all Walmart locations statewide, providing SNAP recipients with an additional 30 cents for every dollar spent on fresh produce. The program, launched in April 2025, has generated over $1.6 million in bonus benefits and aims to make fruits and vegetables more affordable.