SNAP Cuts Begin This Week: Millions at Risk of Losing Benefits

Starting this Monday, cuts to the SNAP program take effect, driven by President Trump’s tax law.
Millions of low-income families will lose access to the program if they do not meet the new conditions.
States are implementing strict changes in work requirements and eligibility rules.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is one of the most important forms of support for those facing food insecurity.

As of September 1, changes go into effect that condition the continued participation of millions in the program.

According to the USDA, income and resource limits remain in place, but new rules now affect beneficiaries’ age, work capacity, and residency.

New Eligibility Requirements for SNAP

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In states like Pennsylvania, the new rules state that adults ages 18 to 54, without minor children and deemed able to work, must meet certain conditions to maintain SNAP benefits:

Work an average of 20 hours a week or earn $217.50 weekly before taxes.
Study at least part-time or complete 20 hours a week in training programs.
Perform community service under the supervision of a social worker.
Failure to comply will limit benefits to just three months within a three-year period.

What Experts Say

Work requirements are already being enforced nationwide. Stephanie Johnson, of the National Grocers Association, warned CNBC that the impact will be immediate: those who do not meet the hours or fail to document their work will be excluded.

This could drastically reduce the number of families with access to the SNAP program and change the dynamics in entire neighborhoods. Johnson noted that the effects will differ depending on each community and that there are “many unknowns” about the true scope of the impact.

Impact on the Latino Community

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For thousands of Hispanic households, the cut to the SNAP program poses a direct risk to food security.

Many parents work jobs with variable or informal schedules, making it difficult to meet the required 20 hours a week.

In addition, stricter eligibility requirements affect non-citizens who were previously able to apply.

This may widen the gap in access to healthy food within the Latino community in the U.S.

Consequences for Health and Nutrition

The debate goes beyond economic access. Michael Goldberg, professor at Case Western Reserve University, warned that the change will also impact nutrition: “A dollar stretches further at Walmart than at the farmers market,” he said, highlighting that families will likely turn to cheaper but less nutritious options.

This could result in a decline in beneficiaries’ diets, especially affecting children and young people who depend on the SNAP program for access to fresh products.

What’s Next After the SNAP Cuts

States will continue adjusting the implementation of the law in the coming months.

At the same time, supermarkets and community organizations will face greater pressure as millions of families lose purchasing power.

The political debate will also continue: for some, the changes to the SNAP program encourage employment; for others, they put at risk the health and food security of the most vulnerable sectors.