Sign at a supermarket entrance with text reading We Welcome EBT customers and a SNAP logo in Lafayette, California, November 13, 2025. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
New data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows that as of April 2026, there are 5.3 million fewer people receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits compared to September 2025, the end of the federal government’s fiscal year 25. The decline in SNAP enrollments comes after new work requirements were implemented on Feb. 1.
By the numbers:
Data from the USDA shows at the end of fiscal year 25, there were 42,382,439 people receiving SNAP benefits at a cost of $95,782,095,890. The latest USDA data shows that as of April 2026, there were 37,011,096 enrollees, a decline of 5,371,343. So far in fiscal year 26, the SNAP program has cost $51,412,312,488.
Dig deeper:
Alaska was the only state to not have a decline in SNAP enrollments. According to the USDA data report, from April 2025 to April 2026, Alaska's SNAP enrollments increased 8.2%. Arizona saw the largest decrease with over 400,000 people losing their benefits, a 54.8% decline. Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana had an over 20% decline in SNAP enrollments.
The backstory:
The work requirements are part of the Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (OBBB) which was signed into law on July 4, 2025, adding more requirements for many adult SNAP recipients to work, volunteer or participate in job training for at least 80 hours a month. If they don’t, they’re limited to three months of benefits in a three-year period.
Previously, work requirements were applied to adults ages 18–54 who are physically and mentally able to work and don’t have dependents under age 18. The new law expands those requirements to those ages 55–64 and to parents without children younger than 14.
It also takes away work exemptions for homeless people, veterans and young adults aging out of foster care. And it limits the ability of states to waive work requirements in areas lacking jobs.
RELATED: USDA: FY25 state payment error rates for SNAP benefits shows $10.1 billion in improper payments nationwide
According to the Congressional Budget Office, OBBB is projected to cut $186 billion in federal spending — 20% — from SNAP over 10 years.
The Source: This article includes information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Congressional Budget Office, and previous FOX Loca reporting. This story was reported from Orlando.