U.S. SNAP proposal draws criticism over benefit eligibility

A proposed change to federal SNAP rules is drawing opposition from anti-hunger advocates. The U.S. Department of Agriculture introduced it Tuesday for public comment. The plan would narrow a policy used in more than 40 states, allowing some households to qualify for SNAP through non-cash TANF benefits such as child care assistance or job training.

If approved, the change is scheduled to begin in 2029. USDA estimates that 6.3 million people would lose SNAP access, reducing enrollment by about 17%. The affected households would include people whose gross income is slightly above 130% of the poverty line—roughly $35,500 annually for a family of three, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

The effects could reach beyond grocery benefits. Nearly 1.8 million children could lose free school lunches, and 5,500 low-income women could lose supplemental food assistance. That matters for Spokane families using SNAP and for parents whose children depend on linked school meal eligibility. Critics say the proposal would add to food insecurity and create more barriers as households face financial pressure. The administration says it wants SNAP limited to eligible Americans most in need and argues the existing policy has expanded access beyond federal income and asset limits.

The proposal follows other SNAP changes: the One Big Beautiful Bill expanded work requirements, and beginning Oct. 1, states must pay a larger share of administrative costs. USDA figures say more than 5 million people have lost food-stamp access since that law was enacted in July 2025. A similar proposal from 2019 was withdrawn two years later by the Biden administration.