‘Heartless and cruel’: Trump moves to cut 6.3M Americans from SNAP. Here’s who’s most at risk

According to the USDA’s analysis, nearly 18% of SNAP recipients would lose their benefits under the proposed change. That accounts for 3.2 million households, or 6.3 million individuals.

The proposal has already faced backlash from some lawmakers and advocates. Outgoing Rep. Angie Craig, a Democrat from Minnesota and ranking member on the House Agriculture Committee, called the proposed change “heartless and cruel.”

“The proposed rule would make it harder to meet basic needs and roll back efforts to streamline federal programs,” Craig said in a statement.

How the proposed rule would change the program

The proposed change would restrict “broad-based categorical eligibility” to SNAP. The policy is currently offered by more than 40 states and allows families who receive TANF to also qualify for SNAP benefits, even if they surpass the income threshold for the program.

TANF is a federally-funded program operated by the Department of Health and Human Services that provides temporary financial support to low-income families with children. The financial support is meant to help cover essential living expenses such as rent, utilities, food and childcare.

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the new proposal means a family of three that receives TANF and has an income above $35,000 could be ineligible for SNAP benefits.

The USDA estimates the new rule would reduce SNAP transfers by $44.6 billion between 2027 to 2031. It will also mean about 1.7 million children will no longer be eligible for free school meals.

The White House did not respond to Moneywise’s request for comment in time for publication.

In a statement to CBS News, White House spokeswoman Allison Schuster said the Trump administration is focused on ensuring that SNAP only goes to those who need it most.