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SNAP Enrollment Drops 13% Nationwide, Arizona Falls 55%

8/22/2026

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SNAP Enrollment Drop

SNAP enrollment nationwide dropped more than 13% from May 2025 to May 2026.
State agencies say administrative paperwork and processing delays, not work-requirement compliance, drive most of the loss, according to agency data.
Arizona experienced the steepest drop, with SNAP rolls falling over 50% between April 2025 and April 2026.
The Congressional Budget Office projects SNAP enrollment below 34 million by 2036, saying drop exceeds forecasts.

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SNAP Plunge

SNAP enrollment nationwide dropped more than 13% overall between May 2025 and May 2026 in the United States.
The 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act significantly stripped work-requirement exemptions for veterans, homeless people, foster-care youth and many humanitarian immigrants.
The cuts hit low-income families, children and immigrants, worsening food insecurity and overloading food banks.
Arizona saw a 55% enrollment plunge, which officials blame on administrative hurdles and verification demands.

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SNAP Enrollment Drop

SNAP enrollment nationwide dropped more than 13% from May 2025 to May 2026.
State agencies say administrative paperwork and processing delays, not work-requirement compliance, drive most of the loss, according to agency data.
Arizona experienced the steepest drop, with SNAP rolls falling over 50% between April 2025 and April 2026.
The Congressional Budget Office projects SNAP enrollment below 34 million by 2036, saying drop exceeds forecasts.

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