Trump bill slashes food aid for 200K+ in Michigan
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President Trump's massive tax and spending bill could slash food benefits for thousands of Michiganders, new research shows.
The big picture: The "big, beautiful bill" makes deep cuts to the social safety net — including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, commonly known as food stamps) and health benefits for the poorest Americans.
- Republicans say the bill weeds out waste, fraud and abuse. Others warn the restructuring of assistance programs could leave more people hungry and uninsured.
Zoom in: Nearly 1.5 million Michiganders currently receive SNAP benefits.
- That's almost 15% of the state's population, a larger share than the 12% national average.
By the numbers: SNAP benefits will decrease by at least $25 a month for about 211,000 Michigan households under the BBB, the Urban Institute estimates.
- The average monthly reduction for those families would be $159.
- The current average monthly benefit in Michigan is $173, MLive reports.
Follow the money: The new legislation also forces states to pay a portion of SNAP benefits, which are currently 100% federally funded.
- The State Budget Office (SBO) is still analyzing the bill's costs to Michigan, spokesperson Lauren Leeds tells Axios.
- A previous version of the legislation, passed by the U.S. House last month, would have cost Michigan almost $800 million annually to pay for its share of benefits, plus $90 million per year for administration costs, the SBO estimated.
Between the lines: Trump's plan also adjusts SNAP work requirements.
- To keep their benefits, parents of children ages 14 or older will have to meet new requirements. The bill also bumps the work requirement age up to 64.
- Currently, requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents apply to those ages 18 to 54.
What's next: Bill changes will be rolled out over the next few years, with SNAP funding cuts expected in 2028.
Go deeper: Five under-the-radar pieces of Trump's "big, beautiful bill" that may impact your life, plus which homeowners will see tax breaks under the new law.