On November 10, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture proposed ending broad-based categorical eligibility for SNAP, a change expected to cut roughly 6.3 million people from food assistance and save $45 billion over five years. The rule would also eliminate automatic free school lunch access for 1.8 million children. USDA officials argue the reform closes loopholes to target aid to the truly needy, while Democratic lawmakers and nutrition advocates condemn the move as a cruel blow to struggling families.
Proposed changes to SNAP eligibility
- ▪Current broad-based categorical eligibility rules allow households receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits with income up to 200% of the federal poverty level to automatically qualify for SNAP
- ▪The U.S. Department of Agriculture published a proposed rule to eliminate broad-based categorical eligibility for the SNAP
Estimated impact of the proposed rule
- ▪The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that ending automatic SNAP eligibility would cause 1.8 million children to lose automatic access to free school lunches
- ▪The proposed rule by the U.S. Department of Agriculture would remove approximately 6.3 million people, or nearly 18% of beneficiaries, from SNAP
- ▪The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates the proposed SNAP eligibility changes, which would end broad-based categorical eligibility, would reduce federal spending by nearly $45 billion and state government spending by $5.2 billion over five years
- ▪USDA estimated that under a proposed rule ending broad-based categorical eligibility for SNAP, 16,500 women, infants, and children would have to apply separately for WIC benefits, while 5,500 participants would lose WIC eligibility entirely
USDA justification for the proposed rule
- ▪The U.S. Department of Agriculture asserted that broad-based categorical eligibility allowed individuals with income and assets exceeding federal limits to receive SNAP benefits
- ▪The U.S. Department of Agriculture stated a proposed rule ending broad-based categorical eligibility for SNAP would standardize SNAP eligibility, reduce payment error rates, and ensure benefits target the truly needy
Reactions and criticism of the proposed rule
- ▪U.S. Representative Angie Craig of Minnesota criticized a proposed rule ending broad-based categorical eligibility for SNAP on November 9, 2026, calling it heartless, cruel, and harmful to program efficiency
- ▪Advocates said the proposed rule increases paperwork burdens on working families and state agencies, threatening to ensnare eligible participants
Prior legislative cuts and declining enrollment
- ▪More than 5.5 million people lost SNAP benefits following expanded work requirements and immigrant restrictions enacted in the July 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act
- ▪Total SNAP enrollment dropped to approximately 36 million people by November 2026 as states struggled to implement administrative requirements from prior federal legislative cuts enacted under Trump's July 2025 tax law
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