Arizona Leads Nation in Food Stamp Cuts as HR 1 Requirements Hit State Hardest

Arizona has lost more food stamp recipients than any other state in the nation after federal law HR 1 introduced new requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

According to a new study by the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, Arizona's participation in SNAP dropped by a staggering 32%, the largest decline of any state nationwide. The federal law, dubbed the "Big Beautiful Bill" by President Trump, expanded work requirements for able-bodied adults and shifted more costs of administering the program to states.

The Numbers

Arizona's Department of Economic Security reports SNAP participation fell from nearly 600,000 recipients in December to fewer than 490,000 in February — a reduction of more than 400,000 people, including 180,000 children.

The federal Center for Budget and Policy Priorities reports a nationwide 2.5 million reduction, or about 6%, since the law took effect. But Arizona's 32% drop far exceeds that national average.

State press aide Christian Slater told the Arizona Capitol Times the decline is partly due to HR 1's new requirements. The law penalizes states that don't keep their error rates below 6%, forcing them to cover 15% to 100% of benefit costs.

Staffing and Error Rates

Arizona's error rate stood at 10.4% for the last fiscal year, still below the national average of 10.9%. But the state's own Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting warned that if the error rate remains at 8.8%, the state could have to cover $195.4 million in 2027-2028. At 10%, that figure could reach nearly $300 million.

To address the error rate concern, the state made changes before HR 1 took effect. About 500 workers at DES were laid off in summer 2025, primarily from eligibility review positions. The number of workers reviewing food stamp applications dropped from 2,250 to 880 in a single year.

DES spokesman Brett Bezio said the agency is processing an estimated 54,000 new and renewal applications, with 18,000 taking more than 30 days to complete. The delays, he said, have resulted in some applications being denied when people couldn't provide required documentation in time.

Governor Responds

Governor Katie Hobbs responded by earmarking $7.5 million in unused federal COVID-19 funds to address "staffing constraints" at DES. She has also requested an additional $48.4 million for the agency for the coming budget year, including hiring 146 new employees.

Bezio said the additional funding should help "cut delays as well as help ensure the state gets below the error rate at which point there would be penalties."

Political Fallout

The sharp decline has become a political flashpoint. Every Republican in Arizona's congressional delegation voted for HR 1, including its SNAP provisions.

Rep. David Schweikert, a Republican from Arizona who is running against Governor Hobbs, said the outsized reductions demonstrate "management failures" by the governor.

"Arizona's outsized reductions are a clear outlier, demonstrating the management failures of this governor," Schweikert said. He argued that while other states were also required to reduce errors under HR 1, Arizona's proactive screening to stay below the 6% penalty threshold resulted in more people being dropped from the rolls.

Federal Intent

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the federal SNAP reduction of 3.3 million recipients, calling it "a signal that the federal government is once again working for the American public."

But advocates argue the impact falls hardest on the most vulnerable. SNAP provides benefits averaging $312 per month for all households and $520 for households with children.

The study also notes that Arizona's outdated technology and new system problems contribute to delays in processing applications, compounding the impact of HR 1's new requirements.

What's Next

Bezio said the agency expects the caseload to stabilize as other states fully implement HR 1 provisions and Arizona's additional hiring takes effect. But advocates warn that the changes will continue to impact low-income families across the state.

The debate over SNAP eligibility and implementation will likely continue as the state budget process moves forward, with both sides pointing to the data as evidence of their positions.