Trump administration actions on SNAP, 2017 to 2021

The Trump administration did not eliminate SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly called food stamps), but it did pursue policy changes that reduced the number of people receiving benefits and tightened rules for who could stay enrolled. The most significant action was a rule change in 2019 that made it harder for states to waive the work requirement for able-bodied adults without dependents. A separate rule, finalized in late 2019, reduced SNAP benefits by roughly $1.4 billion per month by tightening the definition of who counts as unemployed.

These changes took effect gradually between 2020 and 2021. The work requirement rule change allowed states less flexibility to exempt people from the requirement to work or participate in work programs. The income and resource rule made it harder for people with slightly higher incomes or modest savings to stay on SNAP. Neither change eliminated the program or affected families with children, seniors, or people with disabilities as directly as it affected working-age adults without dependents.

Key Takeaways

  • The Trump administration changed SNAP rules but did not end the program; roughly 38 to 42 million people continued to receive SNAP benefits throughout his term.
  • A 2019 rule change made it easier for states to enforce work requirements on able-bodied adults without dependents, reducing exemptions that had been in place.
  • A separate 2019 rule tightened income and resource limits, reducing monthly benefits by approximately $1.4 billion nationwide when fully implemented.
  • Families with children, seniors, and people with disabilities were largely unaffected by these changes; the impact fell mainly on working-age adults without dependents.
  • The Biden administration reversed both rules in 2021, restoring the prior income limits and work requirement flexibility.

The work requirement rule change and what it meant

In March 2019, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a final rule that restricted states' ability to waive the work requirement for able-bodied adults without dependents (often called ABAWD). Under prior rules, states could request waivers in areas with high unemployment or low job availability. The new rule required states to show that the unemployment rate in a specific area was at least 20 percent above the national average, or that jobs in that area were genuinely unavailable—a much stricter standard.

This change meant that fewer people in areas with moderate unemployment could be exempted from the requirement to work, participate in a job training program, or volunteer for at least 20 hours per week. States that had used waivers broadly had to narrow them. The rule took effect in April 2020, though implementation was delayed in some states due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Estimates suggested that between 700,000 and 1.2 million people could lose SNAP benefits as a result, though the exact number varied by state and implementation timing.

The income and resource rule and benefit reductions

In September 2019, the USDA finalized a second rule that changed how SNAP calculates income and resources for households. The rule increased the standard deduction (an amount subtracted from gross income before determining SNAP benefit size) and changed how utility costs are counted. The net effect was that some households became ineligible, while others saw their monthly benefit amount decrease.

The rule reduced total SNAP spending by roughly $1.4 billion per month when fully implemented. This affected households across income levels, but primarily those with incomes just above or at the SNAP threshold. The change took effect in October 2020. Like the work requirement rule, this one did not target families with children or elderly or disabled members specifically; it applied to all households, but had the largest impact on working-age adults and childless couples.

Who was most affected by these changes

The two rule changes had different impacts on different groups. The work requirement rule affected able-bodied adults without dependents most directly—people aged 18 to 49 with no children or elderly relatives in the household. If they lived in an area that lost its waiver, they had to work or participate in a work program to keep SNAP benefits. People who could not find work, had barriers to employment, or lived in areas with few jobs faced the greatest hardship.

The income and resource rule affected a broader group: any household whose income or resources fell into the affected range. This included some working families with children, though the impact was typically smaller for them because of other protections in the SNAP rules. Elderly people and people with disabilities were largely protected because they have separate income and resource limits that were not changed by this rule.

What changed when Biden took office

In January 2021, the Biden administration began the process of reversing both rules. The work requirement rule was rescinded in March 2021, restoring states' ability to request waivers in areas with high unemployment or low job availability. The income and resource rule was reversed in April 2021, restoring the prior benefit calculation method and increasing monthly benefits back to their previous levels.

These reversals meant that people who had lost SNAP benefits under the Trump rules could reapply, and states regained the flexibility they had before 2019. The reversals did not happen instantly—states had to update their systems and notify people of the changes—but by mid-2021, the prior rules were largely back in place.

How to learn about you were affected

If you lost SNAP benefits between 2020 and 2021, or if your benefit amount decreased during that time, you may have been affected by one of these rule changes. The easiest way to find out is to contact your state SNAP office or local Department of Social Services. They can tell you why your case was closed or your benefits were reduced, and whether you may be able to reapply under the current rules.

You can also call 211 (a free referral service) and ask to speak with someone about SNAP. They can help you understand what happened to your case and what your options are now. If you were denied SNAP or had benefits reduced, you have the right to request a hearing to appeal the decision, even if the rule has since changed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Trump eliminate food stamps?

No. The Trump administration changed SNAP rules but did not end the program. Millions of people continued to receive SNAP benefits throughout his term. The changes made it harder for some people to stay on the program, but they did not shut down SNAP itself.

Could I have lost SNAP benefits because of these rule changes?

You could have if you were an able-bodied adult without dependents and lived in an area that lost its work requirement waiver, or if your household income or resources fell into the range affected by the 2019 income rule. Families with children, seniors, and people with disabilities were largely unaffected. Contact your state SNAP office to find out why your case was closed or changed.

Can I reapply for SNAP now if I lost benefits under Trump's rules?

Yes. Both rules were reversed in 2021, so the prior income limits and work requirement waivers are back in place. If you were denied or lost benefits, you can reapply. Your state SNAP office can tell you whether you meet the current rules and help you with the application.

What is the work requirement for SNAP?

Able-bodied adults without dependents must work, participate in a job training program, or volunteer for at least 20 hours per week to receive SNAP. States can request waivers in areas with high unemployment or low job availability. People with disabilities, parents of young children, and seniors are exempt from this requirement.

How do I know if the rule changes affected my benefits?

Your state SNAP office can tell you. Call them or visit your local Department of Social Services office and ask why your case was closed or your benefits changed. If you disagree with the decision, you have the right to request a hearing to appeal it.