July 2026 data
Why did my SNAP benefits go down?
Nationwide, 36,087,667 people were on SNAP in July 2026, down 13.3% from 41,603,048 a year before. Here are the usual reasons a household's amount drops, and what to do.
Common reasons a benefit goes down
Income went up
30% of net income comes off the maximum, so a raise lowers the benefit.
Costs went down
Lower rent, a utility allowance change or less child care means fewer deductions.
Household changed
Someone moved out, turned 18 or became subject to the work rules.
Time limit
Since the 2025 law, adults 18 to 64 without an exemption can lose SNAP after 3 months unless they work 80 hours a month.
Renewal or paperwork
A missed renewal, interview or report can stop or reduce benefits.
What to do
Read the notice: it gives the reason and the deadline to ask for a fair hearing. Fair hearing steps.
People on SNAP by state, July 2025 to July 2026
| State | July 2025 | July 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 882,419 | 433,841 | -50.8% |
| Louisiana | 800,046 | 613,661 | -23.3% |
| Nevada | 485,581 | 372,587 | -23.3% |
| Oklahoma | 689,393 | 534,590 | -22.5% |
| Florida | 2,849,239 | 2,219,639 | -22.1% |
| Nebraska | 149,429 | 116,703 | -21.9% |
| Illinois | 1,887,917 | 1,480,838 | -21.6% |
| Texas | 3,446,051 | 2,762,213 | -19.8% |
| Indiana | 577,352 | 473,166 | -18.0% |
| Rhode Island | 140,646 | 115,739 | -17.7% |
| Kansas | 187,384 | 154,781 | -17.4% |
| Massachusetts | 1,077,698 | 893,889 | -17.1% |
| Connecticut | 356,394 | 296,659 | -16.8% |
| Utah | 173,585 | 144,650 | -16.7% |
| Delaware | 119,568 | 101,854 | -14.8% |
| South Carolina | 564,900 | 481,856 | -14.7% |
| Michigan | 1,524,920 | 1,316,428 | -13.7% |
| Guam | 39,943 | 34,565 | -13.5% |
| North Dakota | 56,789 | 49,511 | -12.8% |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | 20,829 | 18,198 | -12.6% |
| Tennessee | 696,765 | 609,517 | -12.5% |
| Mississippi | 356,046 | 311,920 | -12.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 1,937,908 | 1,706,436 | -11.9% |
| Alabama | 730,758 | 645,376 | -11.7% |
| Georgia | 1,483,061 | 1,325,510 | -10.6% |
| Oregon | 767,566 | 690,814 | -10.0% |
| Maine | 163,108 | 147,218 | -9.7% |
| Arkansas | 240,934 | 217,472 | -9.7% |
| New York | 2,940,513 | 2,667,525 | -9.3% |
| Virginia | 816,587 | 741,868 | -9.2% |
| Ohio | 1,446,062 | 1,317,219 | -8.9% |
| Iowa | 265,969 | 242,731 | -8.7% |
| Idaho | 131,191 | 119,890 | -8.6% |
| Vermont | 63,852 | 58,465 | -8.4% |
| West Virginia | 270,722 | 248,226 | -8.3% |
| New Jersey | 816,782 | 749,216 | -8.3% |
| North Carolina | 1,353,090 | 1,243,706 | -8.1% |
| Montana | 78,677 | 72,352 | -8.0% |
| Washington | 900,750 | 832,201 | -7.6% |
| District of Columbia | 140,929 | 131,264 | -6.9% |
| South Dakota | 74,956 | 70,020 | -6.6% |
| California | 5,449,432 | 5,093,375 | -6.5% |
| Kentucky | 593,706 | 555,896 | -6.4% |
| Missouri | 662,806 | 623,099 | -6.0% |
| Wyoming | 26,435 | 24,903 | -5.8% |
| Colorado | 606,152 | 574,601 | -5.2% |
| New Mexico | 459,108 | 436,190 | -5.0% |
| Minnesota | 451,007 | 428,540 | -5.0% |
| Maryland | 663,803 | 631,580 | -4.9% |
| Hawaii | 165,536 | 158,135 | -4.5% |
| Wisconsin | 676,206 | 654,525 | -3.2% |
| New Hampshire | 75,380 | 72,987 | -3.2% |
| Alaska | 67,168 | 69,522 | +3.5% |
Common questions
Why did my SNAP go down this month?
The notice from your state gives the reason. The most common are higher income, lower costs, a household change or the work time limit.
Can I fight a cut?
Yes. Ask for a fair hearing before the deadline in the notice. The steps are on our fair hearing page.
Sources: USDA SNAP Data Tables, persons participating (data as of October 9, 2026); USDA memo, One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025: ABAWD exceptions (October 3, 2025); USDA, SNAP Fiscal Year 2027 Cost-of-Living Adjustments memo (signed August 21, 2026; in effect October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027).
Independent guide. Not a government website. Not affiliated with USDA or any state agency. We do not take applications, and we never ask for your case number, card number or PIN. Amounts and rules can change: your state SNAP agency has the final word.