How the Big, Beautiful Bill could impact SNAP benefits

NEW YORK (PIX11) -- President Donald Trump signed into law the "One Big, Beautiful Bill Act" on Friday, a day after it passed the House.

The 900-page bill outlines tax breaks and federal funding cuts for healthcare, as well as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

New York elected officials like Gov. Kathy Hochul, have previously sounded the alarm on the impacts of the federal cuts, particularly on SNAP beneficiaries.

Impact of the Big, Beautiful Bill on SNAP

The Big, Beautiful Bill will force individual states to match at least 5% of federal funding for SNAP beginning in 2028. The move could cost New York between $1.4 and 2.2 billion in costs which could significantly impact state budgetary decisions, Hochul has said.

“The state has made meaningful efforts to reduce food insecurity, but it will be hard-pressed to expand or even retain these efforts if Washington shifts billions of dollars in costs to New York,” State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said in a statement. 

Additionally, the bill is expected to change the age eligibility requirement to cover people who are only citizens or lawful permanent residents over the age of 17 and under the age of 65. The current age requirement covers people who are over the age of 15 and under the age of 60.

Beneficiaries would have to complete at least 80 hours of work, education, volunteering, or some combination of the three to be able to receive SNAP.

"These cuts will take food away from children, seniors, and working New Yorkers, at a time when 50% of working-age New Yorkers are already struggling to cover necessities amidst an affordability crisis, and when visits to New York City soup kitchens and food pantries are at a record high," said City Harvest CEO Jilly Stephens.

Hochul has warned that the change to SNAP benefits could impact more than 2.9 million New Yorkers.