The SNAP Crisis is Not Over With Looming Obstacles for Arizonans

Last year, more than 900,000 Arizonans relied on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help feed their families at some point during the year​—​ ​including ​​more than 347,000 children.   

SNAP isn’t just a safety net; it’s one of Arizona’s most effective tools for keeping families stable and local economies strong. In September 2025 alone, SNAP provided more than $155 million in food assistance statewide—​dollars​​ that went directly into grocery stores, markets, and small businesses in every corner of the state​.​ ​In addition to the delay due to the government shutdown, new federal restrictions threaten to take this critical lifeline away from thousands of Arizonans at a time when food insecurity remains high and the cost of living continues to rise.  

Changes to SNAP eligibility rules will make it significantly harder for adults to maintain benefits, even when jobs are scarce. These changes risk pushing more families into hunger, shrinking local economies, and costing the state millions in new administrative expenses.  

What’s Changing  

Under H.R. 1, formally titled the ​​One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3)​ law, long-standing flexibilities and exemptions that helped adults meet SNAP’s work requirements are being rolled back. Key changes include: 

• The age limit for work-requirement exemptions has increased from 54 to 64. 

• The definition of a “dependent child” has changed from under 18 to under 14, meaning fewer parents qualify for exemptions. ​     ​ 

• Exemptions were eliminated for: 

• People experiencing homelessness 

• Veterans 

• Youth who previously experienced foster care 

Nearly 40,000 veterans in Arizona use SNAP—and will no longer be automatically exempt from these work requirements. 

Under the new law, adults ages 18 to 64 without a disability or a child under 14 may receive SNAP for only three months in a three-year period unless they meet new, stricter work-hour reporting rules. 

​​​​Loss of Regional Flexibility​​​ 

OB3 also eliminates Arizona’s ability to request regional waivers in areas where jobs are scarce —even during times of severe economic downturn. Under the new standards where an area must have an unemployment rate over 10 percent, only Yuma County meets the federal threshold to qualify for a waiver. 

Yet, job loss and hiring slowdowns don’t show up immediately in unemployment data. During the Great Recession, Pinal County didn’t cross a 10% unemployment rate until more than a year after the recession began—meaning under today’s rules, critical relief would have arrived far too late. 

Today, many unemployed Arizonans face a “low-hire, low-fire” job market: Layoffs are low, but hiring has slowed, making it difficult to secure the hours needed to keep benefits. 

Economists have warned that the U.S. could be entering a “jobs recession,” where available work hours and job openings decline even without a formal economic downturn. At such a precarious moment, tightening SNAP eligibility is likely to worsen hardship, not reduce it.  

The Human and Economic Impact  

• 147,000 Arizonans could lose access to SNAP under stricter work rules (CBPP). 

• 1 in 8 SNAP participants already lose or delay benefits due to paperwork and red tape—changes will worsen this (Urban Institute). 

• An estimated 63,000 Arizona families would lose some or all SNAP benefits under expanded work requirements, including more than 21,000 families with children.  (Urban Institute).  

• Affected Arizona households would face an average monthly loss of $256 in food assistance (Urban Institute).   

• In a slowing economy, for every $1 billion in SNAP spending, GDP increases by approximately $1.54 billion, supporting 13,000+ jobs (USDA). 

• SNAP investments in children generate lifelong benefits, with research showing returns ranging from $14 to $62 for every $1 invested. 

When families lose SNAP benefits, they spend less in their communities—meaning less revenue for small businesses and fewer tax dollars for local governments. For example: Arizona’s $155 million in monthly SNAP benefits generates nearly $1 million in state sales tax revenue each month, before accounting for additional spending. 

Small grocery stores and markets are especially vulnerable. Reduced SNAP spending can lead to job cuts, debt, or closures—particularly in rural and low-income areas. 

New Costs for States The Joint Legislative Budget Committee estimates Arizona will need to contribute: 

• $37 million in FY2027 just to administer SNAP, and
   

• $139 million in FY2028 to maintain program support. 

​​​    

The Bottom Line  

SNAP has long served as a vital lifeline for Arizona families and a proven economic stabilizer for local communities.  

The federal government’s decision to impose new restrictions—at a time when many Arizonans are already struggling with rising costs and a volatile job market—will increase food insecurity, weaken small businesses, reduce tax revenue, and strain the state budget.  

Instead of taking food away from children and off of the tables of families, while simultaneously harming Arizona businesses, policymakers should strengthen programs like SNAP that help Arizonans stay afloat and keep our local economies strong.