USDA Proposes 25% Cut to SNAP Admin Funding: What It Means

TL;DR

• The USDA wants to cut its share of SNAP office funding from 50% to 25% starting in fiscal year 2027 — that's the money that pays for caseworkers, call centers, and application processing in your state.
• If your state can't fill the gap, expect longer waits on the phone, slower application approvals, and possibly closed local offices.
• You can push back until August 24, 2026: the USDA is legally required to read public comments before finalizing this rule. The link to comment is at the bottom of this post.

If you rely on SNAP to feed your family, a new proposal from the federal government could change how your state manages your benefits starting in 2027.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently proposed a rule that would significantly cut the amount of money the federal government gives to states to run the SNAP program. Currently, the federal government pays for 50% of the administrative costs—the money used to hire caseworkers, run call centers, and process your applications. Under this new plan, the federal share would drop to just 25% beginning in fiscal year 2027.

What changed

Right now, the cost of running SNAP is a 50/50 split between your state and the federal government. The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) wants to codify a rule that shifts more of that financial burden onto the states.

If this rule goes through, the federal government will only cover one-quarter of the bill for administrative expenses. This doesn't change the amount of food money you get each month—that money comes from a different pot of federal funds. Instead, it changes how much help your state gets to pay the people who answer the phones, the IT staff who keep the EBT apps running, and the workers who process your paperwork. The USDA states this change is intended to align with specific legislative requirements, but the practical result is a massive bill handed to state agencies.

What this means for you

This change does not start today, and it does not mean your monthly benefit amount is being cut right now. However, it could make getting and keeping your benefits much harder in the future.

When states lose half of their federal funding for staff and technology, they usually have to make tough choices. You might see longer wait times on the phone when you have a question about your balance. It could take longer for your local office to process your recertification paperwork, which could lead to a gap in your benefits. In short, if the state has less money to pay workers, the service you receive at the SNAP office will likely slow down.

You don't need to worry about your EBT card stopping this week. But you should be aware that the "customer service" side of SNAP might get rockier as states try to figure out how to pay for these programs with much less federal help.

What to do next

Even though these changes are slated for 2027, you can take steps now to protect your benefits and make your voice heard.

• Submit a public comment: The USDA is required to listen to the public before making this rule final. You can visit the Federal Register website to search for this rule and leave a comment explaining how important a well-staffed SNAP office is for your family.
• Keep your paperwork organized: Because offices may become more crowded or slower in the future, it is more important than ever to keep copies of every document you send to the state.
• Use online portals early: If your state has a website or app for SNAP, try to use it for your renewals at least two weeks before your deadline. This gives the system time to work even if staffing is low.
• Stay updated on state budgets: Keep an eye on your local news for stories about your state’s Department of Human Services budget. If your state doesn't step up to fill the 25% gap left by the federal government, local offices may close.

This proposal comes directly from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service as part of their effort to update federal regulations regarding state administrative expense (SAE) funds.

What you can do

• Submit a public comment (takes about 5 minutes). The USDA is required to consider public input before making this rule final, and comments from real SNAP households carry weight. Go to the official proposed rule on the Federal Register, click "Submit a Formal Comment," and explain what a well-staffed SNAP office means for your family — how long you can afford to wait for a callback, what happens if recertification is delayed. Comments close August 24, 2026.
• Tell your story plainly. You don't need policy language. "When my recertification was late, my kids missed a week of groceries" says more than any statistic.
• Share the comment link with anyone else who relies on SNAP — every state loses funding under this rule, so every voice counts.