Changes to the food assistance program in the US, which were said to protect the most vulnerable groups, have also impacted children. It has been reported that at least 776,000 children no longer benefit from the food support known as SNAP.
According to the latest assessment, age distribution is reported in at least 12 states, where out of 1,670,011 people who lost assistance, 776,134 are children. This number corresponds to approximately 46% of those who lost benefits.
Decline Accelerates in States
Arizona experienced the sharpest decline among children. Since July 2025, 205,223 children have lost SNAP benefits, indicating a 55% decrease among children.
Louisiana also saw a notable decline among children. The state experienced the second largest proportional drop among children, with a decrease reaching 22%.
The national picture is similar. As of February 2026, the number of SNAP recipients decreased by 4.3 million compared to February 2025, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 37.8 million.
New Rules Make Access More Difficult
Although the changes did not directly target children, experts point out that stricter application and eligibility processes may have pushed families out of the system. Most states are implementing work requirements for adults, while also facing additional burdens related to administrative costs and error rates.
Starting in October, states will begin covering 75% of the program's administrative expenses, up from the current 50%. From October 2027, states will be required to cover a larger portion of SNAP benefits based on error rates.
The US Department of Agriculture often describes error rates as unintentional. Most of these errors, seen as overpayments or underpayments, are attributed to either the government agency or the applicant.
Application Backlogs Increase
In Massachusetts, the percentage of applicants unable to reach the help line rose from 61% in November to about 81% in March. This increase highlights the pressure on applicants caused by system congestion and staff shortages.
A spokesperson for the department claimed there is no shortage of resources for the most vulnerable groups but did not provide details on the numbers of children losing benefits.
Some Republican members of Congress had stated before the law passed that changes would not affect groups such as children and pregnant women. However, current data shows a contraction in the program among the most needy populations.
Families and Aid Organizations Affected
With the decline in SNAP participation in Arizona, the burden on aid organizations has increased. The state's largest food bank reported a 15% rise in demand this year, corresponding to 300,000 additional aid visits.
A mother of five children waiting in line for aid in Phoenix shared that after losing SNAP benefits in September, she applied to the food bank. Despite reapplying in December, her case has yet to be resolved.
The mother said she struggles to cover her family's basic expenses, uses coupons to reduce grocery costs, limits outings with her children, and worries about rent, electricity, and car payments.
Experts warn that the program's contraction may not result in long-term public savings but could have lasting effects on children's health and academic success. Childhood hunger is emphasized as a public health issue that affects not only the present but also future years.
