Impact of Food Insecurity Impact on Historically Oppressed Communities
The SNAP provisions in H.R.1 are likely to disproportionately harm historically oppressed communities, including low-income families, children, older adults, immigrants, rural communities, and Black, Latino, and Indigenous households that already face higher levels of food insecurity and limited access to resources. By reducing benefits, tightening eligibility, and expanding work requirements, these changes may deepen existing inequities and make it harder for many households to meet basic food needs.
More than 40 million people currently rely on SNAP, including children, seniors, and people with disabilities. The proposed changes to eligibility, benefits, and work requirements may cause about 4 million people to lose some or all of their assistance. As a result, many households may struggle to afford enough food and maintain stable health.
Impact of Food Insecurity
Food insecurity is linked to worse health outcomes and higher medical costs. SNAP helps people afford consistent nutrition, which supports better health. When benefits are reduced, people may have more difficulty managing chronic conditions, leading to increased use of emergency care. Cuts may also place additional strain on food banks and community support systems that are already at capacity.
Children
Children are among the groups most affected by SNAP cuts. Even if their families remain eligible, reduced benefits may make it harder to afford enough nutritious food. Because SNAP is closely tied to programs such as school meals and summer food support, cuts may also reduce access to those resources, harming children’s health, development, and learning over time.
Seniors
Many older adults rely on SNAP to help cover basic food costs while living on fixed incomes. Reduced benefits may make it harder to afford healthy food and may force some seniors to choose between food, medication, and other essentials. This can worsen health conditions and increase reliance on emergency care and public health systems.
Rural communities
Rural communities already face higher rates of poverty and food insecurity, and often have fewer grocery options and services. SNAP cuts may reduce access to food and also affect local economies, as lower spending at local stores can lead to business closures, job losses, and broader economic decline.
Work Requirements
Expanded work requirements may lead to loss of benefits for millions of people, including households with children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities. These requirements often do not account for common barriers to employment, such as a lack of available jobs, transportation challenges, caregiving responsibilities, or health limitations. As a result, they may increase food insecurity without improving employment outcomes. These changes are likely to disproportionately affect Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities, as well as caregivers and individuals with health conditions, further deepening existing inequities.
