Impact of Proposed Federal Changes to SNAP on Food Security in New York

Overview of the Federal Proposal and Its Implications

Nearly three million New Yorkers face increased food insecurity due to a federal legislative proposal known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” supported by former President Donald Trump. This bill aims to reform the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by:

1. Reducing benefits
2. Imposing stricter work requirements
3. Shifting billions in costs to state governments

A report by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli estimates that these changes could cost New York between $1.4 billion and $2.2 billion annually, severely limiting access to food assistance for low-income households.

Food Insecurity Trends in New York Post-Pandemic

Rising Food Insecurity Rates

• Between 2021 and 2023, 1 in 8 New York households experienced food insecurity.
• Nearly 1 million families lacked consistent access to adequate food.
• 365,000 households suffered from “very low food security,” indicating repeated instances of hunger or skipped meals.
• New York was among only six states with a statistically significant increase in very low food security during this period.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

These trends directly challenge SDG 2: Zero Hunger, which aims to end hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round.

Economic Pressures and Decline of Pandemic-Era Relief

Surging Costs and Increased Poverty

• Food prices have risen by 23.5% since March 2020.
• Rent and other essential costs have also increased.
• In 2023, 17.6% of New Yorkers lived in poverty based on the Supplemental Poverty Measure, up from 15.9% in 2019.
• SNAP participation has grown to 1.75 million households statewide as of March 2025.

SDG Relevance

The economic challenges and rising poverty levels undermine SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, highlighting the need for effective social protection systems.

Details of the Proposed Federal SNAP Policy Changes

Key Policy Shifts

• State Funding Burden: States would be required to cover 5% to 25% of SNAP costs, potentially costing New York up to $2 billion annually.
• Administrative Cost Reductions: The federal share of administrative costs would decrease from 50% to 25%, adding an estimated $266 million in annual expenses for New York.
• Stricter Eligibility Criteria: Benefits would be restricted to citizens and lawful permanent residents, excluding other immigrant groups.
• Expanded Work Requirements: Able-bodied adults aged 18–64 (increased from 55) must work, study, or volunteer at least 80 hours per month. Parents with children as young as 7 or 14 years old would also be subject to these requirements depending on the bill version.
• Benefit Reductions: The House bill would cap future benefit increases below inflation by prohibiting revaluation of the USDA’s Thrifty Food Plan, despite rising food costs.

Implications for SDGs

These changes risk reversing progress toward SDG 2: Zero Hunger and SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being by limiting access to nutritious food and increasing food insecurity among vulnerable populations.

State-Level Food Security Programs and Emerging Challenges

Current State Investments

New York invests over $460 million annually in food security initiatives, including:

• Free school meals statewide: $340 million, available regardless of income
• Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP): $57.8 million
• Nourish NY: $55 million, connecting local farms to food banks

Risks to Program Sustainability

State Comptroller DiNapoli warns that increased financial strain from federal funding cuts could overwhelm these programs, reducing their effectiveness and accessibility.

SDG Connections

Supporting these programs aligns with SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production by promoting local food systems and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through collaboration between state and federal agencies.

Outlook and Recommendations

Legislative Process and Concerns

The House and Senate must reconcile their versions of the SNAP reform bill. However, significant concerns remain regarding:

• Potential reversal of progress in combating hunger
• Increased financial burdens on state and local governments
• Reduced access to food assistance for vulnerable populations

Importance of Sustainable Development Goals

Ensuring food security and reducing poverty are critical to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly:

• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Policymakers are urged to consider these goals in future legislation to safeguard food access and support vulnerable communities in New York.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 1: No Poverty – The article discusses rising poverty rates in New York and the impact of federal policy changes on low-income households.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Central to the article is the issue of food insecurity and access to nutrition assistance programs like SNAP.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Food insecurity and hunger affect health outcomes, which relates to this goal.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The article highlights disparities in access to food assistance, especially affecting immigrant populations and low-income families.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The coordination between federal and state governments and the impact of legislation on funding reflect this goal.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 1 – Target 1.2: Reduce at least by half the proportion of people living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
2. SDG 2 – Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access by all people to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round.
3. SDG 2 – Target 2.2: End all forms of malnutrition, including achieving targets on stunted and wasted children under 5 years of age.
4. SDG 3 – Target 3.4: Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment, linked to nutrition and food security.
5. SDG 10 – Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
6. SDG 17 – Target 17.1: Strengthen domestic resource mobilization, including through international support to developing countries, to improve domestic capacity for tax and other revenue collection.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Prevalence of Food Insecurity: The article cites “1 in 8 New York households” experiencing food insecurity and “365,000 households” with very low food security, which aligns with SDG indicator 2.1.2 (Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in the population, based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale).
2. Poverty Rate: The Supplemental Poverty Measure rates of 17.6% in 2023 and 15.9% in 2019 correspond to SDG indicator 1.2.1 (Proportion of population living below the national poverty line).
3. SNAP Usage Statistics: The number of households using SNAP (1.75 million) can serve as an indicator of access to social protection programs, related to SDG 1.3.1 (Proportion of population covered by social protection systems).
4. State and Federal Funding Levels: The financial figures for state investment and federal cost-sharing reflect resource mobilization and can be linked to SDG 17.1.1 (Total government revenue as a proportion of GDP).
5. Eligibility and Work Requirements: Changes in eligibility and work rules imply indicators related to social inclusion and access to benefits (linked to SDG 10.2).

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: fingerlakes1.com