The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) faces an uncertain future: there has been talk of possible cuts of more than $230 billion through 2034, according to Republican proposals in the House of Representatives. These measures seek to reduce mandatory spending to finance extensions of tax cuts, which could affect millions of beneficiaries.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by South African billionaire, Elon Musk, identified $1 billion per month in ineligible SNAP payments. Although it is not an official entity, its focus on eliminating fraud and waste influences discussions about administrative reforms.
This could impact millions of low-income American families who rely on payments like SNAP benefits to put nutritious food on the table and make ends meet.
Cuts over the SNAP benefits program: What DOGE is cooking
The SNAP benefits network served an average of 42.1 million people monthly in 2023, with total spending of $119.4 billion in 2022. Republicans argue that administrative costs (6% of the budget) and payment errors justify the proposed cuts.
Under the Republican-led House budget, the $230 billion in reductions would go toward extending the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This could lower income thresholds for eligibility or reduce benefit amounts, impacting low-income families.
What Trump is plotting for SNAP benefits: are cuts to food stamps coming?
The Trump administration, through the USDA, plans to review SNAP policies to “correct financial mismanagement” under previous administrations. Kailee Buller, USDA chief of staff, criticized decisions by former Secretary Tom Vilsack and pointed out material weaknesses in the administration of the program.
Proposals include stricter work requirements, restrictions on categorical eligibility and adjustments to utility cost calculations. These measures could make access difficult for older adults or people with variable incomes, according to analysis by advocacy groups.
Musk says DOGE can make SNAP more efficient
DOGE, created by Trump in 2025, suggests implementing technological systems to verify eligibility and reduce errors. Vivek Ramaswamy, former head of the department, claimed that “$1 billion is wasted monthly on ineligible benefits due to lack of coordination among states.”
In 2023, the national overpayment rate was 10.03%, with Alaska recording 60.37% errors. Musk proposes modernizing IT infrastructure to standardize processes and share data between agencies, which, according to DOGE, would save billions annually.
Groups like the Center for American Progress warn that the cuts would increase food insecurity, which already affects 1 in 8 households. “It’s a lifesaver,” declared an anonymous recipient we saw in a Reddit photo, referring to the program.
“I depend on food stamps to feed my two children… I am a single mother,” says another beneficiary also in a Reddit thread. Republicans insist that the reforms will improve fiscal sustainability without harming legitimate beneficiaries. However, critics point out that changes in work requirements or eligibility would exclude vulnerable populations, especially in contexts of high inflation.
