The 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act,' signed July 4, 2025, cut $187 billion from SNAP (food stamps) over a decade — the largest cuts to food assistance in American history. The CBO estimates 4 million people, including 1 million children, will lose or see substantial reductions in food assistance.
Work requirements were expanded to ages 18-64 (from 18-54), now requiring 80 hours per month. The requirements now apply to veterans, former foster youth, homeless individuals, and parents with children over 14. LIHEAP energy assistance payments no longer qualify households for the Standard Utility Allowance, further reducing benefits.
The cuts were made to offset $4.5 trillion in tax cuts — mostly benefiting billionaires and corporations. The same bill that gave inauguration CEOs a 4.9% effective tax rate took food from 1 million children.
SNAP serves 42+ million Americans. Every $1 in SNAP benefits generates $1.50-1.80 in economic activity. The cuts hit rural communities, elderly Americans, and working families hardest — the same communities that voted for Trump.
Update (October 5, 2026): On October 1 the law's first cost shift to states took effect. States must now cover 75% of SNAP's administrative costs, which by the federal government's own calculations cuts federal spending on the program by $16.9 billion over five years, or $3.4 billion a year, NPR reported. Starting in 2027, states with error rates above 6% will also pay part of the benefits themselves. “And we may see some states decide that they need to withdraw from the program entirely,” said Katie Bergh of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The White House said the law preserves the program, which it called “so bloated that it is leaving fewer resources for those who truly need help.”