Trump Administration Quietly Moves to Strip Food Aid From Millions

"The change sought by the US Department of Agriculture would curb broad-based categorical eligibility in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Broad-based categorical eligibility allows states to automatically qualify residents for SNAP if they are already enrolled in other aid programs, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, thus reducing administrative hurdles and costs."

"The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) estimated in a blog post published late last month that gutting broad-based categorical eligibility would likely strip modest federal food aid from around 6 million people, including nearly 2 million children."

"The people losing access to food assistance from SNAP, school meals, and [the Women, Infants, and Children Program] would mainly be working families, older adults, and people with disabilities. In other words, the change would primarily harm groups that federal and state policymakers from across the political spectrum have long sought to help: people who work but are living near poverty; older adults."

The Trump administration is pursuing a regulatory change through the US Department of Agriculture that would eliminate broad-based categorical eligibility in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This policy would strip federal nutrition assistance from an estimated 6 million low-income Americans, including nearly 2 million children. Broad-based categorical eligibility currently allows states to automatically qualify residents for SNAP if they are already enrolled in other aid programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, reducing administrative burdens. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates the change would primarily harm working families, older adults, and people with disabilities who rely on food assistance programs.

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