News Summary

Proposed budget cuts under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act could lead to a staggering $900 million loss in federal food assistance funding for Michigan. This reduction is poised to adversely affect nearly 1.5 million residents who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), particularly families with children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Governor Gretchen Whitmer has raised concerns about the potential impact on food security, highlighting the overlap between SNAP and Medicaid recipients. Community leaders warn that these cuts could exacerbate food insecurity and strain local food assistance programs.

Lansing, Michigan – Proposed cuts to federal food assistance programs could lead to a $900 million loss in funding for Michigan, affecting many of the state’s most vulnerable residents. The proposal is part of a larger spending bill known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which aims to make significant reductions to federal food assistance totaling $290 billion.

The Michigan State Budget Office revealed this alarming estimate in a memo published by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on June 4, 2025. The cuts could severely impact the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which currently aids nearly 1.5 million residents in Michigan, representing about 15% of the state’s population. This program is crucial for many households, particularly those with children, seniors, or individuals with disabilities.

Governor Whitmer has called attention to the detrimental effects the proposed legislation could have on food security in Michigan. She emphasized that over 59% of SNAP recipients in the state are families with children, while another 39% have elderly members or individuals living with disabilities. Additionally, the legislation includes work requirements that could jeopardize assistance for up to 252,000 individuals in households with young children, and about 52,000 older adults in Michigan.

The SNAP program supports approximately 42 million low-income Americans nationwide. If the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is passed, estimates suggest that nearly 3.2 million individuals across the United States could lose food assistance each month, further exacerbating issues of food insecurity. Experts warn that the cuts will inevitably lead to increased reliance on food banks and pantries, many of which are already overwhelmed by the demand for services.

Community stakeholders, including leaders from religious organizations and local advocacy groups, have criticized the funding cuts as “cruel and unconscionable.” They warn that such actions would disproportionately affect children, seniors, and working families who are already struggling to make ends meet. The Michigan State Budget Office has also indicated that the loss of SNAP funding could impact other essential services, leading to potential cuts in education, public safety, and Medicaid services.

In Michigan, 67% of SNAP recipients are also enrolled in Medicaid, highlighting a significant overlap between those who rely on food assistance and those who require healthcare support. Cuts to the SNAP program could, therefore, have far-reaching consequences, affecting both food access and medical services for nearly 950,000 residents.

Currently, SNAP beneficiaries in Michigan utilize Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards for their transactions, which take place at approximately 9,800 locations throughout the state. This not only supports local economies but ensures food access for those in need. A significant reduction in SNAP funding is likely to create greater strain on food assistance programs, as organizations such as Feeding America West Michigan have warned that their capacity to provide support could be exceeded by the rising demand.

Governor Whitmer has expressed a firm stance on the importance of maintaining SNAP funding, asserting that it is critical for fostering family stability, improving health outcomes, and reducing dependency on emergency food services. She has underscored that no one in Michigan—or in any part of the country—should go to bed hungry, particularly in a nation as prosperous as the United States.

As discussions continue around the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the potential impact on food assistance programs in Michigan and across the United States remains a pressing concern for community leaders and advocates focused on maintaining essential support for those in need.