Two federal programs do most of the heavy lifting against hunger for families: SNAP, which helps people buy groceries, and WIC, which supports pregnant women, new mothers, babies, and young children. Both made it through the 2026 budget, but both are under pressure. Here is a clear read on where each stands.
WIC: funded for now, with a fight over fruits and vegetables
Congress fully funded WIC for the 2026 fiscal year in the appropriations bill enacted in November 2025, providing about $8.2 billion with a reserve set aside to handle changes in how many families enroll. That is good news, because WIC serves millions of mothers and young children and has strong evidence behind it.
The pressure point is the cash-value benefit, the part of WIC that families use to buy fruits and vegetables. A House proposal would cut that benefit by roughly 10 percent. Advocates warn that trimming the produce benefit hits exactly the healthy foods WIC is meant to provide, so this is worth watching as spending bills move.
SNAP: funded, but with new limits
SNAP is also funded for 2026, but the budget reconciliation law passed in 2025 changed how it works going forward. The law raises the age for work requirements to 65, caps how fast future benefits can grow, and begins shifting more administrative costs onto states. Starting in the 2027 fiscal year, states will have to cover a larger share of the cost of running the program. Supporters say the changes control spending; critics, including the Food Research and Action Center, warn they will make food aid harder to get and slower to keep up with rising grocery prices.
The bill trying to lock in funding
To guard against gaps, lawmakers introduced the Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025 (H.R.5950 in the House and S.3071 in the Senate). It would make sure the Department of Agriculture can keep both programs running for the 2026 fiscal year even if broader budget fights stall. It reflects a real worry from recent years: that families can lose food aid not because anyone voted to end it, but because Washington missed a deadline.
What to do if your benefits change
If you receive WIC or SNAP, watch for notices from your state agency and respond to any request for paperwork quickly, since missed renewals are a common reason benefits stop. If your benefits shrink or end, you do not have to fill the gap alone.