Nationally, the Urban Institute projects that the legislation will reduce federal SNAP spending by $186 billion over the next decade and affect all 22.3 million families receiving SNAP benefits. Of those, 5.3 million families are expected to lose at least $25 a month, with an average monthly reduction of $146.

The losses have alarmed anti-hunger advocates because SNAP is often the doorway to other nutrition programs. When children lose food assistance, many families face additional obstacles obtaining free school meals, WIC benefits, and other support designed to keep hunger from disrupting a child’s health and education.

In August 2024, driven by hunger and desperation, Shelly went to Walmart to buy food. She paid for what she could but hid the rest in her bag. A Walmart employee caught her, called the police, and Shelly was arrested, charged with a misdemeanor, and booked into jail. Unable to pay $800 in cash bail, she faced the possibility of indefinite incarceration.