SNAP benefits in the US hit the headlines as a coalition of attorneys moved to court against sweeping reforms introduced to anti-hunger program under the “One Big Beautiful Bill”.
US President Donald Trump (ANI Photo)
SNAP benefits in the US have always been in debate, whether during the recent US government shutdown or while there was a change in the anti-hunger program’s eligibility in July 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill.
SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is the biggest federal anti-hunger program in the United States, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program. It assists in buying food to low-income individuals and families to help them maintain adequate nutrition.
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SNAP is administered by the US Department of Agriculture and the benefits are distributed through state social service agencies.
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SNAP hit the headlines recently when the US government went into a shutdown.
The program providing day-to-day benefits lapsed for the first time in its 60 years of US history.
The Democratic-led states protested and sought funding for the program with available funds from the Trump administration.
SNAP benefits were reinstated as soon as the shutdown concluded on November 12.
SNAP also hit the headlines in July this year, when President Donald Trump signed a massive 900-page law called the One Big Beautiful Bill.
Among other provisions, the bill brought changes to the SNAP program.
Millions of households that rely on this program now face the risk of losing food support.
US citizens and permanent residents (Green Card holders) still qualify for the SNAP as per the One Big Beautiful bill, but with restrictions like expanded work requirements.
SNAP is again in the news after a group of 21 attorneys general recently filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Agriculture.
The were against the recent guidance from the agency that declared some immigrants, including refugees and those granted asylum, ineligible for SNAP benefits.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, who led the coalition of other Democratic attorneys general, said in a statement that the Trump administration is illegally cutting off the benefits, also known as food stamps, for tens of thousands of lawful permanent residents, reported CNN.
The attorney general from Washington, DC, and the following states joined in on the lawsuit: Oregon, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.
USDA, on October 31, gave new guidance to the states restricting the SNAP eligibility, aligning with President Trump’s domestic policy law.
In the lawsuit, the attorneys general argued that the guidance violates what the law prescribes since “it would make anyone who entered the country through humanitarian protection programs permanently ineligible for food stamps, even if they become legal residents,” as per CNN.
“According to the lawsuit, some immigrant groups are exempt from the rule that requires lawful permanent residents to have lived in the US for five years before receiving benefits.”
The lawsuit asks a federal judge in Oregon to suspend the implementation of the USDA’s guidance.
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