(Nov. 13, 2026)
by Nick Vucic, CDF National Director of Public Affairs
In yet another attack on children and families who rely on essential supports, the Trump Administration has targeted people receiving food assistance with a proposed policy change that would result in more than 3 million households losing access to basic food support, impacting more than 6 million children.
This follows a multi-year strategy by the Trump Administration and its congressional allies to remove children and families from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Center on Budget Policy and Priorities estimates that approximately 5.5 million people lost access to SNAP following enactment of H.R.1 between July 2025 and July 2026.
Earlier this week, the United States Department of Agriculture released a proposed rule to eliminate the Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE), a policy that allows states to provide SNAP benefits to families and children who are already eligible to receive cash assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
Making matters worse, many schools use SNAP participation to automatically enroll children in free school meals. This means that children who lose SNAP benefits may also lose automatic eligibility for free school meals, expanding food insecurity in school districts across the country. This could also undermine participation and reimbursement through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) in high-poverty schools. According to the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), 27.6 million children attended CEP schools during the 2025-2026 school year. Research also links CEP to improved student health, reduced food insecurity, and better attendance and behavior, all of which support students’ academic performance.
Read the full proposal here: Federal Register :: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Reforming Categorical Eligibility
A foundation of Children’s Defense Fund’s (CDF) work is the commitment that all children should have access to what they need to thrive. This includes regular, nourishing meals and permanent, universal free school meals as a core support to ensure children’s physical, mental, and social-emotional well-being. We know as parents and caregivers, providers, family, friends, advocates, and community members that no child’s ability to learn, grow, and thrive should ever be limited by hunger.
This proposal will most directly impact children of color, especially Black children who already experience disproportionately high rates of food insecurity. According to Feeding America, 27% of Black children lived in food-insecure households in 2023, meaning more than one in four Black children lacked consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life.
Through its frequent and continued attacks on Head Start, Medicaid, housing assistance, TANF, childcare assistance, and food assistance, the Trump Administration has made it clear that the well-being of children in America is not a priority. Instead, it has become a target for cuts. We urge the president and his administration to reverse course on this proposal and work to improve food security for the sake of all Americans.