As FRAC further explains, none of this is accidental.

People are being cut off not because they no longer qualify, but because the system is designed in a way that makes maintaining eligibility increasingly difficult. As households experience delays, confusion, and failed attempts to access assistance — especially following the disruption during the 2025 government shutdown — trust in the program will deteriorate. Participation will decline further as people disengage from a system they no longer believe will work for them.

Comment

SNAP is the core of federal food assistance for those in need.  It has its problems as a program, but none of these actions are aimed at improving access, benefits, or program integrity—just the opposite.

Expect poverty rates to increase and by a lot, given food inflation, especially among children.  If they are lucky, school age children will get school meals at least, but those programs are also being cut.

When people ask me what policy might actually improve food insecurity and reduce poverty, I say Universal Basic Income.  That would solve a lot of problems.