You’ve probably seen the headlines or heard the rumors floating around on social media. People are worried. They're asking if the rug is being pulled out from under the country's most vulnerable families. Honestly, the answer isn’t a simple yes or no, which is why there's so much confusion. If you're looking for a one-sentence "he canceled the program," that didn't happen. SNAP—the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which most of us still call food stamps—is still around.
But saying nothing changed is just as wrong.
Between 2017 and 2021, and again with the recent legislative push in 2025, there have been massive shifts in how the program works. It’s less about "getting rid" of it and more about tightening the nozzle until the water barely flows for certain people. We’re talking about work requirements, eligibility "tweaks," and a lot of legal drama in the courts.
The Reality of the "One Big Beautiful Bill"
In July 2025, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). This is where things got real. It didn't delete SNAP from the law books, but it did slice $186 billion from the program's projected budget over the next decade. That is a staggering amount of money.
Basically, the administration used these cuts to help offset the costs of large-scale tax cuts. To find that $186 billion, they had to change who gets to eat. The biggest change? Work requirements.
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Before this bill, "Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents" (ABAWDs) between the ages of 18 and 54 had to meet work requirements. The new law pushed that age limit up to 64. If you're 60 years old and suddenly lose your job, you now have to prove you’re working or volunteering 80 hours a month, or you lose your benefits after 90 days.
It didn't stop at age. They also tightened the screws on parents. Previously, if you had a kid under 18, you were generally exempt from these specific strict work rules. Now, if your youngest child is 14 or older, you're back in the "must work 20 hours a week" bucket.
Did Trump Get Rid of Food Stamps During the Shutdown?
There was a moment of genuine panic in late 2025. During the government shutdown that ended in November, the administration initially suggested they wouldn't use contingency funds to keep SNAP running. For a few weeks, it looked like benefits might just... stop.
About two dozen states actually sued the federal government over this. Judges stepped in, and eventually, the administration agreed to partial payments, then full payments after more legal pressure. It was a mess. Families were standing in grocery aisles not knowing if their EBT cards would decline.
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The Supreme Court even got involved with a stay, but once the shutdown ended on November 12, the funding was restored. So, while he didn't "get rid" of them, the administration certainly used the program as a high-stakes bargaining chip. It was a terrifying month for the 40 million Americans who rely on those benefits.
The "Public Charge" Factor
Another way the program has been trimmed is through immigration policy. The "Public Charge" rule is a big one. It basically tells people seeking green cards or visas that if they use public benefits like SNAP, it could be used against them in their residency applications.
- Chilling Effect: Even if people were legally eligible, they stopped applying out of fear.
- Mixed-Status Families: We saw thousands of U.S. citizen children lose access to food because their immigrant parents were scared to keep them on the rolls.
- Expansion: In 2025, the administration pushed to include even more types of benefits in this "public charge" category, making the barrier to entry even higher.
State-Level Battles and the Soda Ban
Lately, the USDA has been encouraging states to seek "Food Restriction Waivers." You might have heard about the "soda ban" in places like Colorado or Iowa. These waivers allow states to stop SNAP recipients from buying "non-nutritious" items like candy, energy drinks, or soft drinks.
Critics say this is just more government overreach and shaming of the poor. Proponents argue it’s about "strengthening integrity" and health. Regardless of where you stand, it makes the program much more difficult to navigate for the average user. If you're in Arkansas or Florida, your grocery list looks a lot different than it did two years ago.
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What Most People Get Wrong
People often think these changes only affect "lazy" people. That's a myth. The reality is that these rules hit veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and former foster youth the hardest.
Under the 2023 Fiscal Responsibility Act, these groups had special protections. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act stripped those protections away. If you're a veteran struggling with PTSD and you can't land a steady 20-hour-a-week job, you’re now at risk of losing your food assistance. It’s a cold reality that doesn't always make it into the soundbites.
What Should You Do Now?
If you or someone you know is worried about losing benefits, don't just wait for a letter in the mail. Information is moving fast and states are implementing these rules at different speeds.
- Check Your Recertification Date: Most states won't cut you off mid-cycle, but they will check your work hours the second you go to renew.
- Document Everything: If you have a physical or mental health condition that prevents you from working, get a doctor's note now. Don't wait until the deadline.
- Know Your Exemptions: You might still be exempt if you're pregnant, caring for a disabled family member, or participating in a drug treatment program.
- Appeal Immediately: If you get a notice of ineligibility, you usually only have 15 days to appeal and keep your benefits active while the case is reviewed.
The bottom line is that the food stamp program hasn't been abolished, but it has been fundamentally redesigned. It is smaller, harder to qualify for, and much more focused on forcing people into the workforce, regardless of the local job market or personal circumstances. Stay informed and keep your paperwork in order—that's the only way to navigate this new landscape.