Orlando family feels strain as SNAP eligibility rules tighten

ORLANDO, Fla. — Changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are affecting families in Central Florida as federal data shows millions of people, including roughly 1.5 million children, lost SNAP assistance over the past year.

Orlando resident Tawakia May said SNAP benefits have helped her feed her three sons, ages 19, 10 and 7, but making the benefits last has become difficult.

“I get my food stamps at the end of the month. I have to make this food stretch again until I meet the next end of the month,” May said. “And that’s difficult because you’re still spending out of pocket to maintain food.”

Federal data shows SNAP enrollment dropped by more than 5 million people nationwide between July 2025 and June 2026. That includes roughly 1.5 million children.

The changes include stricter work mandates and eligibility rules that mean fewer people qualify for assistance. As of Oct. 1, more people are subject to work requirements, including most adults without dependents ages 18 to 64 — up from the previous age limit of 54.

Rules also changed for people with children, who are exempt from work requirements only if all their children are 13 or younger.

No Kid Hungry Florida Director Sky Beard said children make up nearly half of SNAP recipients, and about two-thirds of SNAP benefits go to households with children.

“Across the state of Florida, 1 in 5 kids are living in homes where that next meal was not really a promise for them,” Beard said. “Families are really doing everything they can to put food on the table and feed their children.”

In Orange County, more than 55,000 children are enrolled in SNAP, according to the Florida Department of Children and Families. Enrollment has decreased 24% since last year.

Beard said changes to SNAP can also affect children who receive free and reduced meals at school because of their eligibility for the program.

“It’s not only hard for those families at home, where maybe they’re having a harder time putting some funds together to feed their family, but we also know that a lot of children in our state are getting free and reduced meals at school because they’re eligible for SNAP,” Beard said.

May works full time at a restaurant but said it is still not enough to make ends meet. She said her focus is making sure her children do not feel the weight of the changes.

“Just keep making it, making ends meet,” May said. “Sometimes you just have to sacrifice, make sacrifices basically.”