Millions of Americans have lost access to vital food assistance as changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) take effect, with states now facing a significant funding shift at the end of September.

Starting October 1, states will be required to cover 75% of SNAP's administrative costs, a move that has food assistance groups urging Congress to delay implementation. This cost shift, coupled with updated work requirements, is already impacting participation in the program.

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), approximately 5 million Americans have lost SNAP benefits since a Republican-backed budget bill became law. This includes over 1.5 million children, a figure described as alarming by Dottie Rosenbaum, director of federal SNAP policy at CBPP.

Rosenbaum noted that the decline in SNAP participation has been faster than predicted, attributing much of it to stricter work requirements and administrative hurdles. She also highlighted increasing reports of individuals struggling to afford basic necessities like food, rent, and transportation.

The budget bill introduced new work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents, raising the age limit from 54 to 64. Additionally, the qualifying age for exemptions related to parental or family responsibilities was lowered from 18 to 14.

Beyond administrative costs, states are also slated to bear a percentage of benefit costs in the coming years, tied to their error rates in underpayments and overpayments. This potential future financial burden could lead to further program changes or benefit cuts.

The White House has not commented on the impact of the new work requirements, though Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins previously stated that the goal of such programs should be a "hand up, not a handout."

Food assistance advocates are calling for a congressional resolution to delay the cost-shifting provisions, providing states more time to prepare for the financial responsibilities and to assess the full impact of the recent changes on vulnerable populations.