Story perspectives

One-Quarter of Shoppers Miss Grocery Credit Payments, Study Finds

7/14/2026

Summary

Consumers Miss Payments

Urban Institute reported that over one in four U.S. consumers missed a minimum credit-card payment after charging groceries.
Food prices rose 32 percent over five years while 63.2 percent of adults used credit cards for groceries.
Missed-payment share increased from 7.1 percent in 2023 to 8.7 percent in 2025.
Middle-income families (200-400 % FPL) missed payments at 12.3 percent in 2025, up from 9.3 percent in 2023, a rate three times higher than higher-income adults.

Summary

SNAP Enrollment Drop

SNAP enrollment fell to about 37 million in March, down nearly 5 million, as BenefitsUSA reports at least 3.5 million people lost benefits by February after the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act added work requirements and removed exemptions.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture pledged $500 million to small and medium meat packers, a move Secretary Brooke Rollins said will promote grocery affordability.
Buy-now-pay-later products remain largely unregulated, leaving borrowers exposed to fees, interest and penalties for missed payments.

History

Historical Context

President Bill Clinton signed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act on August 22, 1996, ending AFDC and adding work requirements that cut welfare caseloads about 53 % by 2000. The 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act now limits SNAP enrollment to 37 million and lifts delinquencies to 8.7 %. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins pledged $500 million to small meat packers to curb price spikes.

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Consumers Miss Payments

Urban Institute reported that over one in four U.S. consumers missed a minimum credit-card payment after charging groceries.
Food prices rose 32 percent over five years while 63.2 percent of adults used credit cards for groceries.
Missed-payment share increased from 7.1 percent in 2023 to 8.7 percent in 2025.
Middle-income families (200-400 % FPL) missed payments at 12.3 percent in 2025, up from 9.3 percent in 2023, a rate three times higher than higher-income adults.

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