By Kashmira Konduparty
More than 4.7 million Americans have lost access to food assistance since President Donald Trump’s signature tax and spending law took effect last year, with Arizona experiencing the sharpest decline in participation nationwide, according to federal and state data reviewed by Reuters.
The reductions involve the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, one of the largest anti-poverty programs in the United States. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture through March show that SNAP enrollment has fallen by about 11% nationwide since the law was enacted in July 2025.
Arizona has been the hardest-hit state. SNAP participation there has dropped by roughly half, resulting in more than 457,000 residents losing benefits, including nearly 196,000 children, according to state figures cited by Reuters.
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The law cuts approximately $187 billion from SNAP funding over a decade and expands work requirements for recipients while restricting eligibility for some immigrant groups. It also shifts more administrative costs to states and imposes penalties on states that fail to meet federal performance standards.
Supporters of the changes say they are intended to reduce waste, fraud and abuse while encouraging self-sufficiency among recipients. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told Reuters that the overhaul “prioritizes American citizens” and introduces cost-sharing measures for states.
Critics argue the changes have created new barriers for vulnerable families. Many recipients have reported difficulties navigating stricter documentation requirements and longer processing times. Some applicants have experienced delays in renewing benefits, forcing them to rely on food banks and charitable organizations.
In Arizona, state officials said they moved more quickly than many other states to implement the federal requirements, contributing to the sharp decline in enrollment. Officials have argued that compliance is necessary to avoid potentially costly federal penalties.
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The drop in SNAP participation has coincided with increased demand at food banks across the state. According to the Arizona Food Bank Network, approximately 843,000 Arizonans sought assistance from food pantries in April, surpassing the number of residents receiving SNAP benefits and marking a significant increase from a year earlier.
The effects have been particularly pronounced among children. Separate analyses by policy groups and news organizations found that hundreds of thousands of children nationwide have lost access to food assistance since the law’s implementation, with Arizona recording one of the largest declines.
Other states, including Louisiana, Wyoming and Virginia, have also reported double-digit declines in SNAP enrollment.
As debates continue over the future of federal nutrition programs, anti-hunger advocates warn that further reductions could increase food insecurity among low-income households already struggling with rising living costs, while supporters maintain the reforms are necessary to control spending and strengthen program oversight.