Trump admin backs off idea to force SNAP users to reapply [View all]
Source: Politico
11/20/2025 12:00 PM EST
The Trump administration’s promised overhaul of the nation’s largest food aid program will rely on existing policies rather than forcing people to reapply for benefits, according to two people granted anonymity to discuss the plans.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said last week that millions of Americans would have to reapply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program as part of an effort to root out alleged fraud, but USDA is now clarifying that it will use current verification processes. State and local SNAP administrators will continue to recertify participants’ work history, income and other personal information as often as every six months to ensure they’re eligible for benefits.
“Rates of fraud were only previously assumed, and President [Donald] Trump is doing something about it. Using standard recertification processes for households is a part of that work,” a USDA spokesperson said in a statement. “As well as ongoing analysis of State data, further regulatory work, and improved collaboration with States.”
Rollins’ previous comments created another layer of uncertainty for local officials who were attempting to return their program operations to normal after the 43-day government shutdown. Neither she nor USDA at the time clarified the timeline for reapplication and how it would differ from current state requirements.
Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/11/20/trump-rollins-snap-benefits-reapplication-00661001
REFERENCES
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143565792
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143568335
= new reply since forum marked as read