More than 35K Marylanders lost SNAP benefits from federal changes, data shows

Christopher Scarglato and Mennatalla Ibrahim, Baltimore Sun on Jul 29, 2026

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Federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) under H.R. 1 have left at least 35,861 Maryland residents without benefits since the new rules took effect Nov. 1, 2025, according to new data from the Maryland Department of Human Services.

SNAP, once known as food stamps, assists eligible low-income households with purchasing food. Those affected include 12,401 adults ages 55 to 64, 11,974 people in families with children ages 14 to 17, 11,472 people experiencing homelessness and 4,566 lawful immigrants, including refugees and people granted asylum, according to data.

H.R. 1 — also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” — caused federal budget cuts, including to SNAP. It was signed by President Donald Trump in 2025.

In a news release Wednesday, Gov. Wes Moore’s administration said it’s working toward helping Marylanders keep or get back their benefits.

“Our administration is working to remove federal red tape and connect eligible Marylanders to SNAP benefits,” the governor said. “Our efforts are working, and we remain committed to protecting our people in these difficult times, so families don’t go hungry. ”

This is through the Maryland Benefits One Application and redesigned web applications. Moore’s administration said the changes make it easier for families to apply.

DHS is also launching a targeted text message campaign that will reach approximately 25,000 SNAP users who have recently lost their benefits because of work requirements, according to the release.

“We are leveraging technology and data to ensure that H.R. 1 does not stand between Marylanders and the essential assistance they need to feed their loved ones,” DHS Acting Secretary Stacy L. Rodgers said.

Rep. Andy Harris — Maryland’s sole Republican congressional delegate — said to The Baltimore Sun in a statement that SNAP was established to provide temporary assistance in times of hardship and not as a permanent substitute for employment for those who are capable of working.

“Our reforms promote work, accountability and personal responsibility while maintaining critical assistance for Americans who genuinely need help,” Harris said. “It also required Maryland, which had one of the highest payment error rates in the country, to administer the program better.”

Maryland’s error rate with SNAP payments has dropped since 2022, which state officials credit to new staffing, training and tech.

Still, the state ranked ninth-highest in the nation for SNAP payment errors in 2025, according to federal data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Maryland Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey told The Sun that SNAP is an “important safety net” — but the Moore administration should help “eligible Marylanders receive the benefits they qualify for.”

“The federal government sets the eligibility rules, but the Moore administration is responsible for implementing them accurately in Maryland,” Hershey added. “If eligible Marylanders are losing benefits because of administrative or implementation problems, the administration needs to identify those problems and fix them.”

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