Related videos:
Since February 1, millions of people in the United States began to experience the effects of one of the most drastic reforms in the history of the SNAP food assistance program, also known as food stamps.
The changes, driven by the government of Donald Trump through the federal law One Big Beautiful Bill, entail cuts, new restrictions, and requirements that are already impacting the most vulnerable sectors of the population.
A historic turn in food assistance
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was established more than eight decades ago with the aim of combating food insecurity in the U.S.
Currently, it benefits about 42 million Americans in 22 million households, which is nearly one in eight residents of the country, according to PEW Research.
However, with the implementation of the reforms on February 1, that safety net has changed radically.
The legislation was signed by Trump on July 4th, and according to the Congressional Budget Office, it entails a reduction of approximately $186 billion in the SNAP program until 2034.
“It's the largest cut to the program since its creation 86 years ago,” noted analysts from USA Today Network.
New demands
Among the most significant changes are the new working conditions imposed to maintain the assistance:
Adults aged 18 to 65 without dependents must work or attend a job training program for at least 80 hours per month. Previously, this requirement only applied to those up to 55 years old.
Parents or adults in households with children aged 14 or older will also need to meet these requirements, even though they were previously exempt if the minor was under 18.
Veterans, homeless individuals, and young people aged 18 to 24 who have exited the foster care system will no longer be exempt.
"From now on, even veterans will have to prove that they are working to continue receiving food stamps," confirmed the Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Furthermore, states will only be able to extend benefits to unemployed individuals if the local unemployment rate exceeds 10%, which drastically reduces the chances of temporary exemptions.
Migration exclusion: fewer immigrants eligible for assistance
Another radical transformation affects immigration eligibility:
-Access is restricted for U.S. citizens and certain legal permanent residents.
-Eligibility is eliminated for legally present immigrants, including asylum seekers, refugees, and individuals protected for humanitarian reasons, such as survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking.
Restrictions on what can be purchased: Goodbye to sodas and sweets
The law also imposes restrictions on the products that can be purchased with SNAP benefits.
From now on, benefits will not be allowed to be used for purchases of:
-Sugary drinks, sodas, and energy drinks.
-Candies, chocolates, and treats.
- Ultra-processed and salty snacks.
Prepared desserts and industrial bakery products.
A report from the USDA estimated that these products accounted for up to 20% of the monthly spending of program beneficiaries.
According to the Government, the goal is to “improve public health and reduce chronic diseases associated with poor nutrition”, although advocacy organizations see it as a punitive measure that restricts options for low-income families.
In states like Florida, these restrictions will be implemented gradually.
Starting April 20, 2026, the prohibition on using SNAP to purchase sugary beverages and non-perishable desserts will take effect.
Florida, Texas, and other states among the most affected
Six states have been identified as the most affected by the reform: Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Colorado, and West Virginia.
In the case of Florida, where 2.9 million people (13% of the population) receive SNAP, the consequences will be particularly severe.
The state will have to cover up to $1.6 billion in new costs resulting from the changes, including 15% of the total expenditure on benefits and up to 75% of the administrative costs.
Furthermore, 38% of recipients in Florida are minors and 24% are seniors, according to data from the Miami Herald.
More than half of households include a person with a disability.
The government's justifications and the criticisms from experts
The Trump administration argues that the changes are necessary to "reduce massive fraud" and "ensure that benefits go to those who truly need them."
The Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, has stated that "thousands of people who did not qualify were receiving SNAP benefits" and that the reform seeks "fiscal responsibility."
However, the Congressional Research Service contradicts that narrative.
In an April 2025 report, it stated that "fraud in SNAP is rare," and that most overpayments are due to unintentional administrative errors.
Social organizations and human rights defenders have strongly criticized the reform.
They warn that, in a context of persistent food inflation, these measures could exacerbate food insecurity and push millions of people even closer to the brink of hunger.
"The social safety net is being dismantled under a narrative of efficiency, when in reality many of those affected are poor workers, children, and the elderly," stated a spokesperson for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Who qualifies for SNAP now?
The eligibility rules have also been tightened. To qualify for SNAP, certain criteria must be met, such as:
- Be a U.S. citizen or qualified legal resident.
-Having an income below 130% of the federal poverty level (in 2026, this amounts to $15,960 for an individual or $33,000 for a family of four).
- Meet the new labor requirements.
-Not having committed crimes related to drugs or SNAP fraud.
Florida, for its part, has already implemented a regulation starting in 2024 that penalizes beneficiaries who do not correctly complete the required reports or who do not meet the employment conditions.
A model in transformation
The implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill marks a paradigm shift in the food assistance policy of the United States, redirecting the focus from a universal aid approach to a system conditioned by employment, citizenship, and strict oversight.
Although for the government it represents a political victory in terms of public spending, for millions of families it means uncertainty, reduced access to food, and more obstacles to survive.
The history of SNAP, which began in 1939 as a national coupon program, is currently experiencing one of its most restrictive chapters.
Filed under: