As the recent Budget Reconciliation bill passes the House and moves onto the Senate, it’s important to take a step back and consider how these decisions will affect everyday people in Wisconsin. One of the most concerning provisions would shift a large portion of the cost of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) from the federal government to the states. This would mean Wisconsin would have to come up with an estimated $138M in state tax dollars as early as 2028. With nearly 700,000 people in our state getting the food they need through SNAP, including 270,000 children and 108,000 seniors, this change would force states like Wisconsin to make tough choices: cut benefits, limit eligibility, or raise taxes to cover the gap.
Reduced access to SNAP benefits is especially concerning for rural communities, where food insecurity rates are often higher and access to services is more limited. According to Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap report, 85% of counties with the highest food insecurity are rural. While nearly 20% of children across the country are experiencing food insecurity, in some rural counties, child food insecurity rates are estimated to be as high as 50%. SNAP is a vital tool in these communities, helping families put food on the table and supporting local grocers and farmers.
The bill also proposes new red-tape requirements tied to work. These changes risk cutting off support for people who are already working, caring for family, or managing serious health conditions. Of SNAP households with working-age adults that don’t receive disability benefits, 86% report earnings during the year. SNAP already includes work incentives and phases out benefits as income rises.
Instead of adding red tape, we should modernize the current policies to allow benefits to taper off so people can increase their wages without losing benefits immediately.
At Feeding Wisconsin, we are already operating at full capacity alongside our network of food banks, food pantries, community kitchens, and faith-based partners. We need strong federal programs, food banks, and community partners working together to solve the hunger crisis.
Now is the time to come together to preserve and strengthen SNAP. We urge our Congressional leaders to reject proposals that undermine SNAP and focus on modernizing programs to better support Wisconsinites to thrive.
Jackie Anderson
Executive Director
Feeding Wisconsin
