How Florida Seniors on Food Stamps Are Struggling to Make Ends Meet—And What Congress Is Doing About It

Alida Gonzalez sank into her sofa in Cutler Bay, trying to unwind. But for this 79-year-old, every trip to the grocery store feels like a battle. Despite receiving about $100 a month from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), she constantly counts her pennies.

Alida is one of nearly 3 million Floridians relying on SNAP, a program that started in 1939 and helps low-income Americans afford food. This system may soon face changes. House Republicans recently pushed a bill that could slash around $300 billion from SNAP over the next decade. The proposal would shift some costs to the states and add stricter work requirements for older users and certain parents.

Supporters, including South Florida Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, argue this is about cutting waste. In her district, about 17% of households depend on SNAP. If the bill passes, Florida could face an additional $1.6 billion cost to maintain benefits for current recipients, which could affect roughly 13% of the state’s population.

Critics worry that these changes may increase food insecurity. A staggering statistic from Feeding South Florida reveals that nearly 400,000 people in Miami-Dade—about 15% of the population—struggle to get enough food. This rate has jumped 50% since 2019, raising alarms about a potential increase in hunger as costs continue to rise.

Alida’s neighbor, Rigoberto Zarza, also feels the squeeze. At 86, he no longer buys meat because it’s too pricey. He sees the potential cuts to SNAP as a significant threat to residents like himself, many of whom live on fixed incomes.

Political leaders are sounding the alarm. State Senator Shevrin Jones highlighted that food insecurity isn’t just a personal issue; it can lead people to make desperate choices just to feed their families. He expressed skepticism that the Florida Legislature would step in to fully support SNAP if federal funding drops.

Historically, the federal government has footed the entire bill for SNAP. However, starting in 2028, states will need to cover at least 5% of costs. This could be problematic for states like Florida, which have a track record of underestimating the benefits their residents need.

Currently, some families in Florida can earn significantly more than the federal limit and still receive assistance. A family of four can earn up to $64,300 and still qualify for SNAP in Florida, compared to the federal limit of $41,795. While some lawmakers, like Rep. Frederica Wilson, are cautious about the state’s ability to manage future funding, others predict that tougher rules might limit the program’s accessibility.

The new bill also intensifies work requirements. Previously, individuals aged 54 and older didn’t have to work to qualify for benefits, but this threshold is being lowered. All able-bodied individuals aged 18 to 64 will now need to show they are working at least 80 hours a month to maintain their benefits, except for parents of young children. This could make it harder for older participants to find jobs and keep their assistance.

Adding to the complexity, the bill includes a provision allowing some Cuban immigrants without permanent status to continue receiving aid, raising questions about fairness in the system.

As these changes loom, many Floridians face an uncertain future, with food security hanging in the balance.



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