Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

One year after President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Pennsylvania saw an 11% drop in SNAP enrollment, with 98,000 fewer participants due to new work requirements. The law includes Medicaid work requirements and tax cuts for billionaires, criticized by Rep. Brendan Boyle as disproportionately harming the poor and increasing the national deficit.

Alaska had the highest SNAP payment error rate in the U.S. for the fourth consecutive year, with 23% of payments in error in fiscal year 2025. The state attributes the issue to complex eligibility rules, manual processes, and workforce challenges, while a new federal policy could shift costs to states based on error rates.

A USDA Inspector General warned Congress that SNAP food stamp fraud is linked to terrorist groups, foreign adversaries, and criminal organizations, with schemes like EBT card skimming and trafficking stealing benefits from vulnerable recipients. The hearing highlighted Republican efforts to address fraud and waste in the $100 billion program, while Democrats raised concerns about potential cuts to food assistance.

The article outlines various local, state, and federal programs in Tennessee that provide food assistance, including Second Harvest Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, SNAP, CSFP, Summer EBT, and WIC. These programs offer groceries, meals, and nutrition support for seniors, families, and individuals in need.

New York's outdated EBT system lacks security measures, leaving food stamp benefits vulnerable to fraud. Victims like Dolly R., a Holocaust survivor, lose funds without reimbursement, as the state fails to implement reforms despite surging fraudulent activity. California and other states have adopted chip-based EBT cards and compensation programs, contrasting with New York's inaction.

Federal threats to SNAP and WIC programs in Michigan, including the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and recent Farm Bill proposals, are exacerbating food insecurity by cutting funding, imposing work requirements, and reducing benefits. Michigan faces a $94 million budget hit, with over 120,000 residents already losing SNAP benefits and rural communities disproportionately impacted by WIC cuts.

A federal judge ruled the government cannot block SNAP benefits from purchasing candy and sugary drinks, citing legal violations of the program's definition of 'food.' The decision affects 23 states with planned or existing restrictions, part of a campaign by Agriculture and Health Secretaries to promote healthier choices.

New SNAP work requirements for 'able-bodied adults' under 64 have not increased employment, according to researchers. A study found that reimposing these rules in Mingo County, West Virginia, led to a decline in monthly employment numbers, contradicting claims that such policies reduce reliance on government assistance.

Pennsylvania Senate committee advanced three bills to prevent fraud in social services programs including SNAP, childcare, and Medicaid. The bills, which passed unanimously, aim to enhance penalties for benefit theft, reimplement annual fraud reports, and improve oversight of state-funded programs.

The Ohio House is considering changes to Medicaid home health care, banning family members from being paid for caregiving services and increasing fraud penalties. Ohio State University reports nearly all survivors of former team doctor Richard Strauss have agreed to a $100 million settlement. A bipartisan bill to prevent SNAP benefit fraud by introducing chip-enabled EBT cards passed the Ohio House.

Starting June 1, new work requirements will be implemented for California’s CalFresh food benefits program under federal changes. Able-bodied adults (ages 18-64) must work or volunteer at least 20 hours weekly, with exceptions for caregiving, unemployment benefits, or attending school/training programs. Recipients have three months to meet the new rules.

The USDA is addressing food stamp fraud by targeting a loophole allowing wealthy individuals with luxury vehicles to receive SNAP benefits. Secretary Brooke Rollins highlighted 14,000 such cases in one state, alongside 500,000 people illegally receiving multiple benefits and 244,000 deceased individuals on rolls. Efforts include arrests and policy reforms to close the Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility loophole.

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators is proposing a bill to include rotisserie chicken in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which currently do not cover this item. The bill aims to expand government food assistance programs to cover the purchase of rotisserie chicken from grocery stores.

Senate Republicans defeated an amendment led by Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) to establish a reserve fund to reverse $187 billion in SNAP cuts from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Vulnerable GOP senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) opposed the amendment, breaking with Senate GOP leaders.

A bipartisan group of Senators introduced the 'Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act' to amend the 2008 Food and Nutrition Act, allowing SNAP recipients to use benefits to purchase hot rotisserie chicken. The amendment aims to expand food options for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants.

Arizona experienced a significant drop in SNAP participation, with over 400,000 residents losing benefits since July due to changes from Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The decline, attributed to stricter work requirements and agency cuts, has raised concerns about nationwide impacts of the legislation.