Trump celebrates 2.4 million Americans ‘lifted’ off SNAP benefits after his tax-cut law slashed funding and tightened work requirements

Fortune

by Jason Ma

February 25, 2026

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President Donald Trump highlighted his administration's success in reducing reliance on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, during his State of the Union address. He claimed that 2.4 million Americans were lifted off SNAP benefits in one year, a record reduction attributed to his tax-cut law and regulatory reforms. The Omnibus Budget and Border Protection Act (OBBBA) slashed $186 billion from SNAP funding over ten years—a 20% cut, the largest in the program's history—while also tightening work requirements for recipients. The OBBBA expanded eligibility criteria for work requirements to include adults aged 55 to 64 and those with children older than 14. These individuals must now work at least 20 hours a week or face SNAP benefits capped at three months over three years. Previously, only able-bodied adults without dependents between 18 and 54 were subject to such requirements. Additionally, the law introduced stricter documentation rules, requiring monthly paperwork from recipients. Critics, including labor unions like the AFL-CIO, argue that these cuts harm working families. They contend that Trump's policies have not made life more affordable, as evidenced by rising food costs and other living expenses. The AFL-CIO accused the administration of prioritizing tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations over essential services, calling the SNAP reductions a setback for millions of Americans struggling to afford basic needs.

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Originally published on Fortune on 2/25/2026