Alida Gonzalez, a 79-year-old resident of Cutler Bay, is feeling the weight of financial uncertainty in her studio apartment.
Despite receiving approximately $100 a month from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), she describes her daily life as one of consistently “counting pennies,” particularly at the grocery store.
Gonzalez is one of nearly 3 million Floridians who rely on SNAP, a federal program established in 1939 as a primary source of food assistance for low-income citizens.
However, recent developments may alter this critical safety net for vulnerable populations.
Last week, House Republicans voted in favor of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which proposes cuts totaling nearly $300 billion in federal SNAP funds over the next decade.
This plan includes shifting some of the program’s costs to states and expanding work requirements for older recipients and certain parents.
Proponents of the cuts, including South Florida Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, point to tax reductions and a perceived need to address the misuse of federal aid as justifications for the changes.
Salazar represents District 27, where approximately 17% of households depend on SNAP benefits; however, she did not respond to requests for comment about the potential impacts of these cuts.
If the Senate endorses the measures and President Donald Trump approves them—an outcome supporters anticipate by July 4—Florida could face a bill of $1.6 billion if it wants to continue benefits for current SNAP users.
Should they choose not to absorb these costs, numerous Floridians could lose access to essential food assistance at a time when high living expenses have already left many families struggling with hunger.
Critics argue that the proposed cuts could worsen the food insecurity crisis adversely affecting local economies and community safety.
Current SNAP utilization in Florida highlights the urgency of Maintaining assistance.
In 2023, approximately 2.9 million SNAP recipients accessed $6.4 billion in aid, averaging mere $184 per person per month.
Children and seniors make up substantial portions of the program’s beneficiaries, accounting for 38% and 24%, respectively.
Moreover, more than half of all households using SNAP benefits include members with disabilities.
In Miami-Dade County, nearly a quarter of households depend on food stamps, ranking as the fifth highest in the state.
The situation is particularly dire among the aging population and families with children.
Inside a subsidized senior housing complex, Gonzalez reflects on her dependence on SNAP, stating, “I couldn’t live” without the assistance that supplements her monthly $940 Social Security check.
Her neighbor, 86-year-old Rigoberto Zarza, mirrors her worries, revealing that he no longer buys meat due to escalating prices.
With his $100 monthly food stamp allowance, he emphasizes the necessity of this assistance for his well-being and that of his fellow retirees.
The struggles faced by Gonzalez and Zarza exemplify the broader financial challenges confronting many residents in the area.
Feeding South Florida, the region’s leading food bank, estimates that around 400,000 individuals in Miami-Dade—almost 15% of the population—experience food insecurity, defined as not having enough to eat or uncertainty about their next meal.
According to their reports, food insecurity in Miami-Dade has surged by 50% compared to levels in 2019.
The potential cuts to SNAP may have disastrous consequences for those already on the brink of food insecurity, disrupting local economies and increasing community vulnerability.
Experts contend that when families struggle to afford food, they curtail spending on other essentials, indirectly harming local farmers and businesses.
As state Sen. Shevrin Jones noted, failing to meet basic nutritional needs can escalate into serious community issues, including an uptick in crime driven by desperation.
Jones, a Democrat from Miami Gardens, expresses skepticism about whether the Florida Legislature would take adequate measures to offset any loss in federal SNAP support.
With the state grappling with a projected $10 billion deficit over the next three years and considering additional tax cuts, many doubt that Florida would significantly enhance food assistance spending.
Under the proposed legislation, the federal government would no longer cover the entire cost of the food stamp program.
By 2028, states will be required to contribute at least 5% of their SNAP budgets, potentially increasing to 25% for states like Florida that have a history of miscalculating benefits.
Currently, states decide eligibility and benefit amounts for SNAP participants, with the federal government providing full funding.
U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, who represents parts of Miami-Dade, critiques the state’s ability to manage funding responsibly, pointing out that reliance on Florida to cover SNAP costs could be misguided.
Additionally, the qualifying criteria for SNAP may become more stringent, as higher living costs and wages in Florida allow families to earn above the federal threshold while still qualifying for benefits.
While the federal cutoff for a four-person household is $41,795, Florida allows families to earn up to $64,300 without losing eligibility.
This discrepancy raises concerns that state officials might adopt the lower federal threshold to save costs, further restricting access to assistance.
Moreover, the bill also introduces new work requirements, mandating all able-bodied recipients aged 18 to 64 to work at least 80 hours a month for benefits, except for parents with children under age 7.
This change may disproportionately affect older recipients in their 50s and 60s, who may find it increasingly difficult to secure employment within a new window of three months before potentially losing access to aid.
Complicated reporting requirements associated with work mandates also put recipients at risk of losing benefits through bureaucratic hurdles, as noted by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Responses to shifts in policy have been politically charged.
Some South Florida representatives advocated for a specific exception regarding Cuban immigrants lacking permanent legal status, allowing them continued access to food stamps irrespective of the overarching restrictions.
This measure, while politically expedient, has raised questions about the fairness of SNAP eligibility, highlighting disparities in the treatment of immigrant groups.
As Jared Nordlund from UnidosUS articulates, the focus should be on ensuring all hardworking families have equal access to assistance, raising concerns over any perceived preferential policies.
He questions the rationale behind making SNAP a vital resource for certain immigrant populations while leaving others in need without support.
Overall, as changes loom, the fate of SNAP and its impact on communities hangs in the balance, demonstrating the profound connection between government policy and food security in Florida.
image source from：https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida/2025/06/01/snap-benefits-cuts-florida-food-stamps-reform-act/
