United States federal food-assistance program
SNAP participation has declined by about 4.3 million from January 2025 to January 2026. Advocates attribute the drop to tougher eligibility rules and work requirements in the One Big Beautiful Bill, while supporters claim a stronger economy and reduced fraud are responsible. The administration is moving toward tighter controls and reduced federal funding over the next decade, with state programs bearing more cost.
A federal judge has rolled back restrictions on SNAP purchases, ruling the government cannot redefine what counts as food to justify waivers. States had sought to bar items like soda and candy from being bought with benefits, part of a broader Make America Healthy Again push. The decision opens the program to a broader set of purchases and may influence future policy battles.