According to USDA’s analysis, 6.3 million people would lose benefits in FY2029
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), which represents 1.2 million essential workers across North America, including workers in grocery, retail, meatpacking, and food processing, released a statement in opposition to a newly proposed rule for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The rule would eliminate a state option known as broad-based categorical eligibility, increasing administrative red tape and making millions of Americans ineligible. This is in addition to the 5.5 million beneficiaries who have already lost SNAP in the last year due to cuts from H.R. 1.
UFCW International President Milton Jones said:
“After last year’s government shutdown, this is now the second straight holiday season where millions of Americans who receive SNAP benefits and the grocery workers whose jobs rely on their spending are living with uncertainty. Since the Trump administration and its allies in Congress passed devastating cuts to SNAP, 5.5 million people have lost these benefits as prices continue to rise. This rule will only mean more hardship and pain.
“The benefits of food assistance programs extend beyond helping working families and children. SNAP acts as an economic driver, supporting the entire food supply chain. UFCW members in our country’s grocery stores, meatpacking plants, and food processing facilities feel the ripple effects as fewer families can buy the food they produce, package, ship and sell.
“The new Congress should make restoring SNAP funding a key priority and increase oversight on the USDA’s management of the program as it faces increasing attacks. SNAP is an engine of growth for our families and our economy that must be fixed.”
BACKGROUND
- SNAP is our nation’s largest food assistance program, serving more than 36 million people and supporting countless jobs along the food supply chain. Since H.R. 1’s implementation, more than 5.5 million Americans have lost access to SNAP, including 1.5 million children.
- Broad-based categorical eligibility makes it easier for working families to qualify for SNAP, including those with modest savings and those who own a vehicle they need to drive to work.
- 80 percent of SNAP dollars are spent at large stores like supermarkets and superstores, including stores where UFCW members work and feed their communities. When families lose access to food assistance, grocery sales drop. That means fewer hours, fewer jobs, and more strain on workers all along the food supply chain, including meatpacking and food processing workers.
- Under the proposed rule, by fiscal year 2029, the changes would impact 6.3 million people. The 120th Congress should reverse the draconian cuts made to SNAP in 2025, and strengthen the program to harness the multiplier effect of food assistance.
CONTACT: Finn Storer press@ufcw.org