Arizona Drops 440,000 SNAP Recipients After 50% Caseload Plunge Under New Law
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 20
Arizona Drops 440,000 SNAP Recipients After 50% Caseload Plunge Under New Law
2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 20
Summary
About 440,000 Arizonans have lost SNAP benefits in less than a year, cutting the state’s food-aid caseload roughly in half even though many remain eligible.
A federal law championed by President Trump imposed steep penalties for states that make too many benefit errors, pushing Arizona to demand more paperwork while reducing staff reviewing applications.
That combination has produced months-long waits, overwhelmed caseworkers and unusually strict verification demands, with applicants reporting skipped meals, food disputes and missed rent payments to buy groceries.
Arizona’s food banks now see monthly visits exceeding SNAP enrollment for the first time, and the state’s aggressive response is being watched as an early signal for how other states may handle the same penalties.