On December 1, a significant change took place under President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which supports over 40 million Americans, introduced new work requirements for adults nearing retirement age. This affects many people between 55 and 64, who may lose access to benefits if they can’t work.
In a troubling twist, the USDA also stopped its annual Food Insecurity Survey. This survey helped track hunger in America, making it harder to gauge the effects of these new SNAP rules on older adults who may struggle to meet the work requirements.
Parke Wilde, a food economist at Tufts University, expressed concern. He mentioned that without this data, it will be challenging to understand how policy changes affect programs like SNAP. Policymakers usually analyze these impacts to improve the system, but this year, they won’t have that opportunity.
This isn’t the first time data collection has been limited under the Trump administration. For instance, an executive order halting the collection of information about gender and sexuality in federal surveys illustrates a broader trend of reducing federal oversight.
Research from George Washington University underscores the consequences of adding work requirements to SNAP. Between 2013 and 2017, nearly one-third of adults without dependents lost benefits when states adjusted work requirement waivers. Researchers found little evidence that these rules help individuals secure jobs or become self-sufficient. Instead, they often lead to increased hardship.
Colleen Helfin, a public administration expert at Syracuse University, noted that many early retirements in this age group stem from health issues or difficulties staying employed. She emphasized that navigating exemptions can be especially tough for older individuals, who might struggle with physical or cognitive challenges.
Lauren Schuyler from the University of Maryland highlighted that states should aim to ease these burdens. She pointed out that requiring additional documentation can unfairly disadvantage older individuals trying to access benefits.
Some states are actively looking to fill the data void left by the USDA. Helfin mentioned a movement among state legislators to begin monitoring food insecurity locally, potentially incorporating this information into existing surveys.
In a statement, a USDA spokesperson dismissed the Food Insecurity Survey as biased, framing it as a tool to expand SNAP benefits.
With these changes, the future of food assistance for older Americans is increasingly uncertain. As states and communities adapt, monitoring these developments will be vital for understanding the true impact on those in need.
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