Arizona sees largest decline in SNAP enrollment in country

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - More than 400,000 Arizonans have lost access to SNAP since last July, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Arizona is experiencing the largest decline in program enrollment in the country.

The decline followed the implementation of H.R. 1, also known as the Big Beautiful Bill, which went into effect in July. The legislation changed the funding structure for SNAP, expanded work requirements for recipients, and reduced eligibility for non-citizens.

Statewide and federal factors contribute to decline

Joseph Palomino with the Arizona Center for Economic Progress said the problem has been exacerbated by Arizona’s Department of Economic Security’s facing resource constraints.

“You have all this additional bureaucratic requirements, and then you have this terrible incentive for states to reduce their payment error rates or face a pretty significant cost shift,” Palomino said.