SNAP participation continues to decline nationwide as states prepare for new financial responsibilities under recent federal changes, while Congress considers delaying some of the costs set to shift to states.
According to a Stateline article, more than 5 million Americans have lost access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) since federal changes enacted last year, while Congress considers delaying some of the law’s new financial requirements for states.
From the Stateline article:
New data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows more than 330,000 Americans lost access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, between May and June, the latest numbers available.
The declines come as Congress considers changes to how SNAP is funded and administered. The federal law enacted last year expanded work requirements, narrowed eligibility exemptions, and shifted additional administrative costs to states. Beginning in fall 2027, states are also scheduled to assume a portion of SNAP benefit costs, with the amount tied to states’ SNAP payment error rates. As previously covered by MACo, the federal government historically covered SNAP benefits and split administrative costs with states. Under HR 1, states must now shoulder 75% of administrative expenses. For Maryland, that means increasing its current $115 million share by another $57.5 million annually, for a total of roughly $172.5 million a year just to run the program.
From Maryland Matters:
The number of Maryland residents receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program support fell from 663,803 in July 2025 to 624,548 in June 2026, a drop of 39,255 recipients, according to data from the Food Research and Action Center. Maryland’s 6% rate of decline was still less than half the national rate of 13% over the same period, according to the data.
A Senate Agriculture Committee proposal approved earlier this month would delay the new state cost-sharing requirement for one year, giving states until October 2028 to improve their error rates before potentially assuming a share of benefit costs. The proposal still must be considered by the full Senate before the current farm bill expires September 30.
As previously covered by MAC0, after posting one of the nation’s highest SNAP payment error rates just a few years ago, Maryland has made substantial progress. New federal data show the state has reduced payment errors by nearly two-thirds since 2022.
If approved, the changes could have significant implications for state budgets. For local governments, changes to SNAP participation and state funding responsibilities could affect residents’ access to food assistance and other social services.
