ORLANDO, FL — SNAP participation is falling in Florida even as more Central Florida families turn to local food programs for help. New USDA data shows about 36.6 million people received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in May, down from more than 42 million a year earlier.
In Florida, enrollment has dropped nearly 20% since July 2025. Orlando-area nonprofit leaders say the shift is showing up in their work, with more people asking about grocery support, food pantries, and other ways to stretch household budgets.
What Changed In SNAP
The decline follows federal rule changes passed in July 2025 that tightened SNAP eligibility and expanded work requirements. The story also notes that the Trump administration has pointed to fraud reduction efforts as part of the broader change.
One Orlando resident, Brianna Sawchuk, said she lost benefits after reapplying and was told she was ineligible even after uploading the documents she believed were required. She said her income came from DoorDash and that she submitted a work calendar showing daily earnings. Her case illustrates how reapplications can become harder under tighter rules…