Issue Brief 19-25
September 18, 2019
Summary 
The Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) published a proposed rule to restrict eligibility in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Specifically, it would narrow categorical eligibility based on receipt of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits by:
  • Requiring that cash and non-cash TANF benefits must be “ongoing and substantial”
  • Limiting non-cash TANF benefits to those that focus on subsidized employment, work supports, and child care
FNS provided estimates of the proposed rule on SNAP participants, federal spending, and select states. Highlights include:
  • Approximately 9% of SNAP households would lose eligibility in fiscal year (FY) 2020.
  • More than 15% of SNAP households would lose eligibility in eight states.
  • Federal spending on SNAP benefits would see a -$10.5 billion change over a four-year period (FYs 2020-2023), and total spending (federal plus state) on administrative costs would increase by $2.3 billion.
  • States with expansive categorical eligibility policies would be most affected. Ten states would not be affected.