USDA moves to curb automatic SNAP eligibility for many TANF households

What the rule would change

USDA's proposal targets a long standing shortcut that makes households receiving cash aid through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families automatically eligible for SNAP. Right now, TANF cash aid can qualify a household for SNAP without having to meet federal income thresholds.

The department says the change would tighten alignment with federal standards. SNAP generally uses 130 percent of the federal poverty level, while TANF eligibility varies by state and is typically 130 percent to 200 percent. The proposal says this would make eligibility more uniform and "preserve benefits for the truly needy."

Who would be affected

USDA's analysis translates nearly 18% of SNAP recipients into roughly 6.3 million people who would lose benefits. Because SNAP enrollment also unlocks other nutrition programs, the agency estimates 1.8 million children would lose eligibility for free school lunch if the rule is adopted.

USDA data show enrollment has already fallen by more than 5.5 million since Trump's July 2025 law cut the program, down to about 36 million recipients. The agency attributes part of the decline to states struggling with administrative changes and absorbing significant new costs tied to the law.

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Politics and next steps

Democratic Representative Angie Craig of Minnesota, who serves as the House Agriculture Committee's ranking member, called the proposal "heartless and cruel." In her words, "The proposed rule would make it harder to meet basic needs and roll back efforts to streamline federal programs."

Members of the public will have a 30-day window to submit comments on the proposed rule.

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