The Future of SNAP Hangs in the Balance

As a new administration prepares to take office, the fate of key government programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), remains uncertain. SNAP, which provides food assistance to more than 42 million Americans each month, is governed by the Farm Bill – a sweeping piece of legislation that determines funding and policies for nutrition programs, agriculture subsidies, and rural development. Hunger relief advocates are closely watching the bill’s progress, concerned that changes to SNAP could leave millions more vulnerable to food insecurity.

According to Feeding America, SNAP is nine times more effective at addressing hunger than the organization’s entire food bank network. Yet, the program’s future remains tied to political negotiations over the Farm Bill, which was last renewed in 2018. That five-year bill was set to expire in September 2023, but when lawmakers failed to reach a consensus on reforms, Congress extended it through September 2024. Now, with a looming deadline at the end of the year, some provisions of the bill could expire or revert to outdated versions unless lawmakers either extend it again or pass new legislation.

Political Gridlock and Partisan Strategy

Prospects for passing a new Farm Bill before year’s end appear dim. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow unveiled a new draft of the bill earlier this week, but hunger policy experts warn that congressional Republicans are more inclined to extend the current version for another year. Speaking at the Hunger Free Communities annual summit, Ellen Nissenbaum, Senior Advisor at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, cited Republican lawmakers’ belief that delaying negotiations could grant them greater control over the bill’s content when they assume House and Senate majorities in the next session.

“Why would they do a one year extension?” Nissenbaum posed. “Because Republicans will control the House and Senate next year. They will have more power, and therefore they believe they can produce a Farm Bill that is more to their liking.”

One of the most contentious issues in the debate is the future of the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP), the formula used to determine SNAP benefits. The 2018 Farm Bill updated the TFP for the first time in half a century, reflecting modern food costs and dietary needs. The update led to a 21% increase in SNAP benefits per person, significantly boosting food security for millions of Americans.

However, House Republicans have proposed a change that would prevent future updates from increasing SNAP costs. “What Republicans have proposed in the House Farm Bill – and what many Senate Republicans support – is not to roll back the recent increase, but to ensure that future adjustments cannot raise costs,” Nissenbaum explained.

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, this so called “cost neutral” approach would ultimately slash benefits by approximately $30 billion over time. “This would be the largest SNAP cut in nearly 30 years and would grow over time as SNAP benefits became more and more inadequate,” the Center’s report warned.

Additional Threats to SNAP Benefits

Beyond direct Farm Bill negotiations, other legislative maneuvers could impact SNAP’s structure and funding. One key concern is whether protections against electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card skimming will remain in place. Cybercriminals have increasingly targeted SNAP recipients by exploiting outdated card technology. While states have reimbursed $53 million in stolen benefits, the actual losses are likely much higher, as many thefts go unreported.

Another potential flashpoint is the upcoming budget reconciliation process, which allows certain legislation to bypass the Senate’s 60 vote filibuster threshold and pass with a simple majority. Lawmakers are expected to use reconciliation to extend the 2017 Trump – era tax cuts, but Nissenbaum warned that it could also be a vehicle for SNAP reductions. “We will see vehicles that are moving to which SNAP cuts and changes could be added, starting with this tax reconciliation bill and then moving to dealing with the debt ceiling,” she said.

Past debt ceiling negotiations have resulted in increased work requirements for SNAP participants. Similar changes could be on the table again, potentially limiting access for vulnerable families, seniors, and people with disabilities.

The Fight to Keep SNAP an Entitlement Program

A broader, more fundamental concern is whether SNAP will continue to function as an entitlement program, meaning anyone who qualifies can receive benefits. Some conservative lawmakers have proposed converting SNAP into a block grant, which would cap funding and give states more control over distribution. Advocates argue this shift could lead to drastic benefit reductions and create barriers for those in need.

“We don’t want to focus just on SNAP,” Nissenbaum cautioned. “If there are harmful cuts and changes to Medicaid, then people may not have as much for food.”

With millions of Americans depending on SNAP to put food on the table, the coming months will be critical in shaping the program’s future. As lawmakers navigate complex political terrain, hunger relief advocates will continue pushing to ensure that food assistance remains robust and accessible for all who need it.