About 167,000 Michiganders lost SNAP food benefits since last summer as new work rules took effect

About 167,000 Michigan residents lost Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits since last summer, including more than 53,000 children, as new federal work rules and added paperwork requirements reduced enrollment in the state's largest food assistance program.

State data show Michigan had about 1.4 million people enrolled in SNAP in June 2025. By August 2026, enrollment had fallen nearly 12%, according to figures from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

The drop followed changes tied to President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill," which widened the group of SNAP recipients who must work, volunteer or take part in a training program to keep benefits.

Under the new rules, able-bodied adults ages 18 to 64 without dependents under 14 must show they are working, volunteering or in training at least 80 hours a month. The law also placed a three-month limit on benefits every three years unless participants meet those requirements.

Before the change, residents over 54 and people living with a child under 18 were not subject to those work requirements.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said many residents have been dropped because they did not understand the new rules or missed notices about what they needed to do to keep benefits.

"What we are seeing are people that are dropping out because they don't fully understand or they miss the communication around what their new responsibilities are to obtain or keep their SNAP benefits," said Erin Frisch, senior deputy director for the economic stability administration at MDHHS.

Frisch said she does not believe the people who lost benefits stopped needing food assistance. She said they are likely turning to food banks, churches and other local organizations, but those groups cannot replace the value of federal SNAP benefits.

Grocery prices keep rising, according to federal food price data, and local food pantries report more demand.

At Fish & Loaves, a grocery-style food pantry in Taylor, CEO Stephanie McNees said the pantry is getting regular calls from people asking whether they can complete their work requirements there.

Lisa McCracken, 53, of Taylor, said her monthly SNAP benefit has fallen from $293 to about $180. She said she recently learned she must work 20 hours, attend school or provide a certified doctor's letter to keep benefits.

McCracken, who receives Social Security disability benefits after a work injury, said working or attending school is not possible right now because she recently had surgery and has a knee replacement scheduled.

The changes are also shifting more program costs to Michigan. According to a state budget analysis, the new requirements will cost the state tens of millions of dollars.