USDA proposes ending automatic SNAP eligibility for millions

The US Department of Agriculture published a proposed rule on Tuesday that would limit SNAP categorical eligibility to households receiving TANF assistance, a change the department estimates would remove 6.3 million people in 3.2 million households from food benefits by fiscal 2029.

Why it matters: The proposal would unwind the broad-based categorical eligibility route used by 46 of the 53 state and territorial SNAP agencies, cutting federal benefit spending by an estimated $44.6 billion over fiscal 2027 to 2031 and ending automatic free school meal eligibility for about 1.78 million children.

Data as of Proposed rule published in the Federal Register on November 10, 2026 (document 2026-22936), read via the Federal Register's official API record in this run; every figure is the department's own published estimate. Written comments are due December 10, 2026. The rule is a proposal and changes no household's eligibility now. Developing item.

The US Department of Agriculture published a proposed rule on Tuesday that would limit categorical eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to households that receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families assistance as defined in federal regulation, ending the broader route under which states have used non-cash TANF-funded benefits and services to qualify households automatically. The department estimates 6.3 million people in 3.2 million households, about 18 percent of participants, would lose benefits by fiscal 2029, with federal benefit spending falling by about $44.6 billion over fiscal 2027 to 2031 and about 1.78 million children losing automatic eligibility for free school meals through their SNAP enrollment. Comments on the proposal, docket FNA-2026-0661, are due December 10, and no household’s eligibility changes unless the rule is finalised.

USDA proposes ending automatic SNAP eligibility for millions

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