Nearly 800,000 Children Lose SNAP Benefits as Hunger Advocates Warn of Growing Crisis

June 22, 2026

More than 776,000 children across twelve states have been removed from SNAP food assistance rolls following congressional changes to federal nutrition program regulations, representing nearly half of the total 1. 67 million people affected. The loss of SNAP benefits creates cascading problems for families, as the program serves as a gateway to other critical nutrition services including free school meals and WIC, making it significantly harder for low-income households to access comprehensive food support.

Who is affected

More than 776,000 children in twelve states who lost SNAP benefits
1.67 million total people removed from SNAP rolls
Low-income families who face obstacles obtaining free school meals and WIC benefits
Approximately half of Washington D.C.'s children who rely on SNAP
Thousands of District residents living in food-insecure households
Adults ages 18 to 54 without dependent children subject to work requirements
Children, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities who depend on SNAP
Families in Arizona (205,000 child recipients lost)

What action is being taken

Work requirements have returned for many adults receiving SNAP benefits in the District
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones is joining a coalition of attorneys general urging lawmakers to restore SNAP funding
Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown is participating in a multistate effort to protect nutrition assistance programs and preserve SNAP benefits in the next Farm Bill
The Food Research & Action Center is calling for continued support of Summer EBT

Why it matters

SNAP serves as a critical gateway to other nutrition programs, and losing it creates barriers to accessing free school meals, WIC benefits, and other support systems essential for children's health and education. The program is particularly vital in addressing food insecurity, especially in areas like Washington D.C. where it helps feed half of the city's children. The timing is especially problematic because families are already struggling with high grocery costs, and reducing access to nutrition assistance during this period undermines efforts to combat child hunger and threatens both short-term and long-term health, education, and economic outcomes for children and society.

What's next

State officials are pressing Congress to reverse course on SNAP reductions
Attorneys general are urging lawmakers to restore SNAP funding and reject additional reductions under pending federal legislation
Advocates are working to protect SNAP benefits in the upcoming Farm Bill negotiations

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer