# SNAP Enrollment Drops as States Adjust Benefits Rules

> States face rising costs and stricter SNAP rules as fewer Americans access food assistance.
- Title: SNAP Enrollment Drops as States Adjust Benefits Rules
- Summary: States face rising costs and stricter SNAP rules as fewer Americans access food assistance. SNAP enrollment fell 13% to 36.4 million Americans as states…
- Keywords: snap, enrollment, work requirements, payment error rates, state budgets, farm bill, food insecurity, arizona, illinois, louisiana, science, ideas
- Source: The Conversation — https://theconversation.com/fewer-americans-are-getting-help-buying-groceries-from-snap-benefits-as-states-grapple-with-the-programs-cascade-of-changes-292829
- Author: Tracy Roof
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: snap, enrollment, work requirements, payment error rates, state budgets, farm bill, food insecurity, arizona, illinois, louisiana, science, ideas
## SNAP enrollment declines
As of June 2026, the number of people enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program fell 13% to 36.4 million.
## Children affected by decline
An estimated 1.5 million children no longer receive SNAP benefits.
## President Trump's explanation
President Donald Trump says a strong economy has driven down demand for the program.
## New federal law impacts SNAP
The president signed a tax-and-spending package in July 2025 that changed SNAP eligibility rules.
## Work requirements expand
More people now get up to three months of benefits if they don’t work, train, or volunteer 80 hours monthly.
## Age cutoff rises
Work requirements now apply to adults up to age 64, previously 54, and parents of children ages 14-17.
## Arizona enrollment drops
Arizona saw enrollment fall by almost half as states struggle with new rules.
## States pay more for SNAP
As of Oct. 1, 2026, states must pay 75% of administrative costs, up from 50%.
## California's cost increase
California will pay $670 million more in administrative costs for the 2027 fiscal year.
## Payment error rates
States calculate payment error rates to determine how much they must cover of SNAP benefits.
## Error rate impacts costs
States with error rates over 10% must cover 15% of benefits costs, up from previous levels.
## Farm bill delays
Democrats want a two-year delay for states to cover SNAP costs before the farm bill passes.
## Key takeaway

SNAP enrollment fell 13% to 36.4 million Americans as states implement new work requirements and payment error costs.