What actually happened to SNAP during Trump's presidency

The Trump administration did not eliminate SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly called food stamps). The program continued to operate throughout his term. However, the administration proposed significant changes to the program, some of which were implemented and others that were blocked or reversed.

The most substantial change that took effect was a rule tightening work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents. Starting in 2020, states gained more flexibility to enforce a rule that people aged 18 to 49 without children must work, participate in a work program, or volunteer for at least 20 hours per week to receive SNAP benefits beyond three months in a 36-month period. This rule had existed before, but the Trump administration made it easier for states to apply it more broadly.

The administration also proposed — but did not fully implement — changes to how income and resources are counted, which would have reduced the number of people receiving benefits. These proposals faced legal challenges and were not in place by the time the administration left office.

Key Takeaways

  • SNAP continued operating throughout Trump's presidency; the program was not cut off or eliminated.
  • Work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents became easier for states to enforce starting in 2020, which reduced enrollment in some states.
  • Proposed changes to income counting rules were challenged in court and did not take full effect before the administration ended.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic led to temporary waivers of work requirements in 2020, which partially offset the stricter enforcement.

The work requirement change and who it affected

Under the Trump administration's rule, states could more easily remove people from SNAP if they did not meet work requirements. Previously, states had to request waivers from the federal government to enforce these rules in areas with high unemployment. The new rule made waivers automatic in most cases, meaning work requirements applied more widely.

This affected primarily able-bodied adults aged 18 to 49 without dependent children. People with disabilities, seniors, children, and parents caring for children were not subject to these requirements. The rule did not change the benefit amount for people who remained on SNAP — it only changed who could receive benefits.

When COVID-19 hit in March 2020, the federal government issued emergency waivers that temporarily suspended work requirements nationwide. These waivers remained in place through the end of Trump's term and continued into the Biden administration, so the stricter enforcement did not affect most people during the pandemic.

Proposed changes that did not take full effect

The Trump administration proposed several other changes to SNAP that would have reduced benefits or enrollment. One major proposal would have changed how states count income and resources when determining who qualifies for SNAP. The rule would have made it harder for people with slightly higher incomes to receive benefits.

Another proposal would have required states to verify citizenship more strictly and would have reduced benefits for households with immigrants, even legal immigrants. These rules faced legal challenges from states and advocacy organizations. Federal courts blocked or delayed implementation of several of these proposals, so they were not in place when the administration ended in January 2021.

What happened to SNAP benefits themselves

The actual dollar amount of SNAP benefits did not change under Trump's policies. The benefit level is set by a formula based on the cost of food and is adjusted annually. Benefits increased slightly during Trump's presidency due to this annual adjustment, though the increases were modest.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government issued emergency allotments that temporarily increased SNAP benefits. These emergency increases were authorized by Congress and continued through the end of Trump's term. They were not a permanent change to the program, but they did put more money in people's accounts during the crisis.

How Trump's SNAP policies compared to other administrations

Every administration has proposed changes to SNAP. The Obama administration also tightened work requirements in some cases and proposed changes to how income is counted. The Biden administration reversed some Trump-era rules and proposed different changes focused on expanding SNAP rather than restricting it.

The work requirement rule that took effect under Trump was based on existing law that had been on the books since the 1990s. What changed was how aggressively states could enforce it. Some states chose not to use the new flexibility, while others used it to remove people from the program.

What changed after Trump left office

When President Biden took office in January 2021, his administration reversed or paused several Trump-era SNAP rules. The proposed changes to income and resource counting were withdrawn. The administration also extended the emergency allotments that had been issued during COVID-19, keeping benefits elevated beyond what they would have been under the standard formula.

Work requirements remained on the books as law, but the Biden administration did not push states to enforce them as aggressively. When COVID-19 emergency waivers expired in 2023, work requirements returned to normal enforcement in most states, but this was not a Trump-era policy — it was the result of the emergency period ending.

How to learn about changes affected your benefits

If you received SNAP during Trump's presidency and your benefits changed, the reason depended on your state and your situation. If you were an able-bodied adult without children, you may have been subject to work requirements. If you were in a different category — a parent, senior, or person with a disability — the work requirement changes did not affect you.

To understand what happened to your specific case, contact your state's SNAP office. They can tell you why your benefits changed, whether you were subject to work requirements, and what you need to do to continue receiving benefits. Your state SNAP office is usually part of the Department of Social Services or Department of Human Services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Trump eliminate food stamps?

No. SNAP continued operating throughout Trump's presidency. The program was not eliminated or shut down. Some rules about who could receive benefits changed, but the program itself remained active.

Did my food stamp benefits go down because of Trump?

The benefit amount itself did not change due to Trump policies. If your benefits went down, it was likely because your income changed, your household size changed, or you were subject to work requirements and did not meet them. Contact your state SNAP office to find out why your specific benefits changed.

What is the work requirement rule and does it still apply?

The rule requires able-bodied adults aged 18 to 49 without dependent children to work, volunteer, or participate in a work program for at least 20 hours per week to receive SNAP beyond three months in a 36-month period. This rule still exists, though it was waived during COVID-19. It does not apply to parents, seniors, people with disabilities, or people caring for children.

Can I get back benefits I lost during Trump's presidency?

This depends on why you lost benefits and your state's rules. If you were wrongly removed from the program, you may be able to request a hearing and potentially receive back benefits. Contact your state SNAP office or a legal aid organization in your state to discuss your specific situation.

Did the amount of money the government spent on SNAP change?

Total SNAP spending did not decrease during Trump's presidency. In fact, spending increased during the COVID-19 pandemic due to emergency allotments and increased enrollment. The number of people receiving SNAP did decline in some states due to work requirement enforcement, but overall program spending remained substantial.