Dear Jack,

Budget reconciliation legislation signed into law this July made sweeping changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the federal grocery assistance program that helps about 42 million people put food on the table every month. While details about implementation are still unfolding, these changes could mean about 6 billion fewer meals annually for SNAP participants—the biggest cut to SNAP in history.

We need your help. Take action now and pledge to help end hunger and protect programs like SNAP that help families everywhere. 

How do budget reconciliation changes affect SNAP?

• Changes to eligibility rules will make it harder for some families to qualify, as soon as this fall. More people—including for the first time ever, older adults ages 55-64 as well as parents with children 14 years or older—will need to complete new supplemental paperwork to continue receiving SNAP benefits. These rules will apply to veterans, people experiencing homelessness and former foster youth, all groups who were previously exempt from this requirement. Additionally, some legal residents who are not U.S. citizens who were previously eligible will no longer be eligible for SNAP at all.  
• Changes to federal SNAP funding may mean program availability varies by state. Historically, the federal government has covered all food benefit costs. Beginning in October 2027, a share of these costs may shift from the federal government to state governments—an unprecedented expense for states. Additionally, all states will be responsible for a much higher share of program administrative costs beginning in October 2026. These significantly increased costs mean states may reduce the number of people eligible to receive benefits, making it even harder for the tens of millions of families and individuals facing hunger to access the nutritious food we all need to thrive.

So, what now? What is Feeding America doing?

Feeding America is working with food banks and pantries, other community organizations and lawmakers to protect access to food, reduce harm from recent policy changes, and promote solutions shaped by people facing hunger—because when our neighbors with lived experience lead, we get closer to ending hunger for good.

We are deeply grateful for your ongoing support in the movement to end hunger—and, Jack, we hope you’re still with us. Take one minute to pledge to help end hunger for good. 

Take the pledge: I will take action to help end hunger and protect crucial programs like SNAP.

We’re so glad you’re here with us, Jack; it’ll take all of us to end hunger for good. 

Sincerely,

Kristina Kus

Advocacy Manager

Feeding America

Daily Kos, PO Box 70036, Oakland, CA, 94612.