As grocery and gas prices continue to strain household budgets, some families are waiting for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits amid changes to eligibility rules and a growing application backlog.
The changes are part of President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said the law is intended to strengthen the integrity of the food assistance program.
Eric Cooper, president and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank, said the policy shift has affected people considered able-bodied adults without dependents, as well as some children and older adults.
“I don’t think anyone anticipated so many children and seniors that were caught up in some of that policy shift that are now no longer eligible to get benefits,” Cooper said.
A viewer named Jessica told KSAT she was concerned because benefits she applied for in August had not come through. The USDA said applications are supposed to be processed within 30 days.
Cooper said about one-third of families are caught in an application backlog. Additionally, half of recertifications for existing beneficiaries are being delayed beyond the required timeframe, and many families are confused about whether they’re still eligible due to the policy changes, he said.
“If the state could get ahead of that backlog, those families would have the dollars that they need in these critical times to nourished their families,” Cooper said.
The San Antonio Food Bank are serving roughly 140,000 families a week, according to Cooper. It’s a 17% increase in demand, returning to levels last seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The South Texas Food Bank is asking lawmakers to wait two years before putting the restrictions in place. The changes would require states to pay more toward the program. In Texas, Cooper said, that could cost about $500 million.
“Texas has been a strong economy and our state has dollars. Will the legislators prioritize that spend?,” Cooper said.
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