The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Food Stamps or food coupons, welcomes the fiscal year 2027 with two simultaneous modifications that move in opposite directions: the maximum amounts of food assistance will increase starting October 1, but states will have to bear a significantly greater administrative burden, which could lead to indirect cuts to the program.
The annual adjustment for the cost of living, which the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) implements at the beginning of each fiscal year, raises the monthly limits for all household sizes.
A household for one person will increase from $298 to $306 (+$8); for two people, from $546 to $562 (+$16); for three people, from $785 to $808 (+$23); and for four people, from $994 to $1,023 (+$29).
Larger families will also see increases. The minimum benefit rises by one dollar, from $24 to $25 per month. These amounts will be in effect until September 30, 2027.
It should be clarified that the increase will not automatically reach all households. SNAP calculates the individual benefit based on net income, family size, and applicable deductions, so many families may not see any change in their monthly payment.
The second change is the most controversial. Starting October 1, states will have to cover 75% of the program's administrative costs, compared to the 50% they currently bear.
The federal government will reduce its participation from 50% to 25%, a measure established by the “One Big Beautiful Bill” signed by President Donald Trump in July 2025.
According to estimates from Newsweek, this shift in expenses will represent approximately $16.9 billion additional costs for the states between fiscal years 2027 and 2031, averaging about $3.4 billion annually.
Experts warn that this budgetary pressure could result in cuts to the program's administration at the state level.
This double change comes at a time of historic contraction of the program. Since the new requirements and cuts imposed by that law went into effect, participation in SNAP dropped from 42.3 million people in April 2025 to 37 million in April 2026, marking the sharpest decline in decades, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
What is the situation in Florida?
In Florida, the impact of Trump's law has been particularly severe: between 553,000 and 558,000 residents -including seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities- lost access to the program since July 2025, nearly double the initial projections from the Department of Children and Families.
The state channels over $7 billion annually in SNAP for about 2.9 million beneficiaries—13% of the state’s population. Starting in October, with the beginning of the new fiscal year, it will have to assume up to $1.6 billion in new costs resulting from federal law.
In March, the Florida Senate approved the SB 1758 bill, which introduces additional changes to the state program, including enhanced beneficiary verification and the possibility of EBT cards with photos.
About a month later, a program also prohibited SNAP beneficiaries in Florida from purchasing soft drinks, energy drinks, candy and ultra-processed desserts.
The measure, according to state authorities, aims to ensure that funds are allocated to more nutritious products, but it has raised concerns among community organizations and beneficiaries, who warned that it could complicate access to affordable food for low-income families.
A historic cut
The "One Big Beautiful Bill" involves a cut of approximately $186 billion to the SNAP program until 2034, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
It also expanded work requirements: adults aged 18 to 64 without children under 14 must work, volunteer, or participate in training programs for at least 80 hours a month to maintain benefits. Those who do not comply will only be able to receive assistance for three months over a three-year period, unless they qualify for an exemption.
"Even veterans will have to demonstrate that they are working to continue receiving food stamps," confirmed the Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Additionally, states will only be able to extend benefits to unemployed individuals if the local unemployment rate exceeds 10%, which significantly reduces the chances of temporary exemptions.
"The social safety net is being dismantled under a narrative of efficiency, when in reality many of those affected are low-income workers, children, and the elderly," warned a spokesperson from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, summarizing the concerns of organizations that monitor the impact of these judicial and legislative changes on the program.
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