Nebraska DHHS data shows 11% drop in SNAP recipients after federal legislation limited participation

Nebraska household participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, dropped about 11% between April 2025 and April 2026, according to Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services data. Food access advocates say the decline reflects policy changes rather than reduced need.

About 7,800 households – or 18,000 individuals – stopped participating over the past year. As new federal legislation went into effect in October and recertification for SNAP benefits was conducted, the number of participants steadily dropped.