Trump SNAP Changes Hit Millions of Children as Medicaid Cuts Loom

Millions of Americans, including an estimated 2 million children, have lost access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) since President Trump signed changes to the food-assistance program into law in July 2025. Concerns are rising as states prepare to implement new Medicaid work requirements in January, raising questions about potential disruptions to health coverage for families already losing food assistance.

While children are not subject to the stricter SNAP work requirements, changes affecting parents and caregivers can impact household benefits, and connections between SNAP and Medicaid eligibility systems may create additional consequences for low-income families. Between July 2025 and July 2026, SNAP participation dropped by 5.5 million people, or 13 percent, reaching its lowest point in 17 years at 36.1 million.

Child participation fell by approximately 2 million. Medicaid and CHIP enrollment among children also declined by 2.56 million between January 2025 and August 2026, with child SNAP participation falling by about half in Arizona between January 2025 and May 2026, compared to a 12.2 percent decline in Medicaid and CHIP.