Here’s how SNAP recipient numbers changed one year after new work requirements
1 in 9 Americans received SNAP benefits in April 2026
WASHINGTON —
Nearly 37 million Americans received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in April, about five million fewer participants than a year ago, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, helps provide food assistance to eligible low-income households. The 13% year-over-year decline in recipients comes after federal policy changed the program’s eligibility rules and work requirements.
Last July, President Donald Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” also known as H.R. 1, into law. The legislation expanded work requirements, requiring many SNAP recipients to work, volunteer or participate in job training for at least 80 hours a month. It also expanded the age limit of people who need to meet these requirements from 54 to 64.
The new work requirements have created additional paperwork for states, which have to review and process the new requirements, according to the Harvard Kennedy School.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates the new work requirements will reduce participation in SNAP by roughly 2.4 million people in an average month over the 2025-2034 period.
H.R. 1 also reduced funding for the program by approximately $186 billion over the next 10 years, about a 20% cut. Beginning in October, states will be required to cover a larger share of administrative costs like paying and training staff at state agencies.
Starting October 2027, states will also be required to pay a percentage of benefits costs based on whether their SNAP payment error rates are 6% or higher. Last year, improper payments totaled $10 billion, according to USDA.
The Get the Facts Data Team analyzed USDA data to see how SNAP household and individual participation changed nationwide after H.R. 1 took effect.
How did monthly SNAP benefits participation change?
About 42 million Americans received SNAP benefits in July, when Trump signed H.R. 1 into law. States began rolling out the federal changes between last November and early 2026.
The latest snapshot of SNAP participation, from April, showed recipients had declined by about 12% from its July 2025 level.
Last July, about 22.3 million households received SNAP benefits. By April 2026, that number had fallen by 2.1 million, bringing household enrollment back to levels similar to early 2020.
Where did SNAP benefits participation decline?
All but one state saw a decline in SNAP participation in April compared to last year. Alaska had about 5,200 more SNAP participants three months ago compared to the year prior. Every other state and the District of Columbia had declines ranging from 2% to nearly 55%.
Arizona experienced the largest drop in SNAP participation, with enrollment falling by nearly 55% from April 2025 to April 2026.
Georgia, Florida and Louisiana also had some of the largest drops in SNAP recipients, each exceeding 20%.
More than half of Arizona households enrolled in SNAP last April were no longer participating in the program three months ago. Florida and Louisiana also experienced some of the largest household declines.
Which states had the highest SNAP benefits recipient rates?
New Mexico has the highest per capita rate of SNAP participants and households, with 20,800 recipients per 100,000 residents. Wyoming had the lowest per capita rate at 4,200 participants per 100,000 residents.
About 28% of New Mexico households used the program. The District of Columbia and Oregon had the second- and third-highest percentage of households enrolled in the program, with about 24% for each.
