By Esteban Corona

Nearly a third of El Paso is struggling to put food on the table, and with the sweeping changes to food assistance programs under H.R.1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, that number will grow. The massive cuts signed into law last summer threaten to deepen food insecurity for more than 300,000 residents.

The legislation slashes an estimated $187 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program over the next decade, requires states to cover more costs and expands work requirements for recipients.

During a press briefing, Kris Yagel, interim chief executive officer of El Pasoans Fighting Hunger, spoke on the cuts to SNAP, stating, “It’s probably the most open program at relieving that [income-constrained] population here in El Paso. And so the fact that it’s being cut, you know, is going to have an impact. We just have to be ready for it. We’re already thinking ahead about what we can do to minimize that hit.”

The cuts, described as the largest reduction in SNAP history since the program began in 1964, would restrict eligibility, require future updates to the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) to remain cost-neutral, and prohibit purchases of sweetened drinks and candy.

The inevitable effect of reducing benefits is the additional strain on local food banks, such as El Pasoans Fighting Hunger, which already face high demand.

“The only thing that’s certain for us is uncertainty,” Yagel said. “So we’re always reacting to stuff and, you know, we’re being as proactive as we can, but I mean we’re comfortable with the volume as well. Things are changing all of the time.”

Starting Oct. 1, 2026, states must cover 75% of SNAP administrative costs, whereas before states were only required to pay half of the costs. Starting Oct. 1, 2027, depending on each state’s payment error rate, or PER, states will be required to pay up to 15% of SNAP benefit costs. The PER indicates the precision of household benefits calculations, including overpayments and underpayments. SNAP benefits were 100% federally funded before H.R.1.

“So when SNAP comes in and they’re saying 75% has to go to the state for funding,” Yagel said. “We’re going to find that they’re just either going to try to pull from everything, or they’re going to drop SNAP to a level that they can afford or to deal with.”

If the error rate is below 6%, states are exempt from the cost share. In fiscal year 2024, the PER for Texas was 8.3%, which according to H.R.1, would make the state responsible for covering 10% of SNAP benefit costs. That would be an estimated $709 million per year.

“We’re just trying to get ahead of the legislation,” Yagel said. “Let people know the concerns, and maybe they take the extra step in letting their elected officials know and give them the power to advocate for what they believe in.”

According to Feeding Texas, Texas Health and Human Services is working to lower its PER this year, but the state can reduce the rate through a blend of technology, process improvements and adequate staffing. There is no guarantee Texas will get below 6% in such a short timespan.

“We have a reduction in my staff,” Yagel said, adding, “In the past, we’ve had as many as eight social workers that work on SNAP benefits. That now is almost a third of that number. So just the sheer number of people that we have to reach with reduced staff creates a shortfall.”

Stricter rules for millions of Americans were another outcome of H.R.1, expanding work requirements and eliminating special exemptions. Able-bodied adults aged 55 to 64 without dependents must work, volunteer or attend job training for at least 80 hours a month to receive benefits longer than three months. Previously exempt groups, such as veterans and adults experiencing homelessness, are now required to meet work requirements to keep their benefits.

Inability to meet work requirements means only receiving SNAP benefits for three months out of a three-year period. Texas is one of only nine states requiring nonexempt SNAP applicants who are unemployed to enroll in mandatory Employment and Training (E&T) programs run by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). If a designated head of household fails to cooperate with either entity, Texas can suspend benefits.

Thousands of vulnerable El Pasoans are at risk of being limited to just three months of benefits within a three-year period, and navigating the application system is already a hurdle for many in the region.

“You can count on us,” Yagel said. “We will do everything that we can to mitigate the effects of changes above us on the people of El Paso. And that includes finding different avenues that maybe go beyond state borders to get food and other things.”

With local food banks bracing for increased demand and reduced resources, the community faces a significant challenge in ensuring that vulnerable residents have access to adequate nutrition. Advocacy and awareness are crucial to mitigating the potential impacts of these extensive changes.