USDA Proposes Ending SNAP Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility Nationwide
USDA published a proposed rule Tuesday to end "broad-based categorical eligibility," which lets states automatically qualify households for SNAP if they already meet TANF requirements, even with assets above normal SNAP thresholds. USDA estimates the change would cut SNAP benefits by more than $45 billion over five years and remove about 6.3 million people, or 17% of beneficiaries, starting in 2029; about 1.8 million children would lose automatic free school meal eligibility and roughly 42,000 children could lose Summer EBT. USDA also projects state administrative costs would rise nearly $930 million. Nevada officials said they are still reviewing the rule's potential impact; the state has already lost more than 100,000 SNAP participants, a 23% reduction, since separate work requirements under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act took effect in July 2025.