Unintended Consequences: The Ripple Effects of Cutting SNAP Benefits

Among the many harmful, regressive policies and budget cuts contained in the Republican’s recently passed ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ one area that didn’t get enough attention were the changes made to SNAP – the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as food stamps) that helps needy families buy additional nutritious food every month.  In Calaveras County, SNAP is a lifeline for thousands of families who rely on the program to feed themselves and their kids – but also for our local grocery stores that rely on SNAP revenue for their continued economic viability.  That’s why the latest move from the Trump administration should set off alarm bells.

What is Happening?  

NPR recently reported that the USDA has begun demanding that states hand over the personal, detailed data of all SNAP recipients since 2020 — not only names, but household member info, landlord contacts, utility and medical debt details, and more.

That information, once held securely by the states, could now be shared with law enforcement, other federal agencies, and even foreign governments. The USDA says it’s about fighting fraud, but critics — including California Attorney General Rob Bonta — say it’s about surveillance and intimidation, particularly of immigrant families.

The demand for data is already facing multiple lawsuits from state governments, privacy advocates, and even SNAP recipients themselves. But unless a judge intervenes quickly, states like California could be forced to comply, or risk losing millions in federal food assistance dollars.

What does this mean for Calaveras County?

The SNAP program, known in California as CalFresh, is widely used in Calaveras County. According to the Calaveras County Dept. of Health and Human Services, Calaveras County has one of the highest PER CAPITA usage of Cal Fresh benefits of any county in the state.  As of April 2025, 4.031 Calaveras households were receiving CalFresh benefits, supporting a total of 6,537 people, many of them low income seniors.  The average monthly SNAP benefit statewide is $189 per person, which means that SNAP spending in local grocery stores and small businesses contributes at least $1.2 million to our local economy, likely more. In the last 10 years, in California alone, this program has lifted an average of 711,000 people including 340,000 kids out of poverty each year.   And now, this critical program that so many local families rely on is at risk.

In rural regions such as ours, where grocery stores are often far apart and food deserts are real, SNAP helps keep families fed and local grocers in business. When SNAP dollars are spent, they stay in the community. They support jobs, keep rural stores open, and provide a crucial economic buffer for small towns.

The ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ will result in substantial reductions to SNAP benefits for many local families, due to new eligibility, work and reporting requirements. And fewer families receiving benefits will lead to a commensurate reduction in revenue to the local stores that rely on this spending.  But if families are scared to apply for SNAP — worried their information will be used against them or shared with immigration officials — they won’t even apply. That’s not hypothetical. In Michigan, Attorney General Dana Nessel is already hearing reports of families avoiding food pantries or skipping benefits they’re eligible for. Parents are too afraid to feed their kids.

Imagine what would happen if that fear takes hold in Calaveras?

What’s at risk?

• Children go hungry. Even though children born in the U.S. are eligible for SNAP, mixed-status families may avoid the program out of fear, denying food to kids who need it most.
• Grocery stores lose revenue. Local stores depend on SNAP dollars, especially in rural areas where foot traffic is already thin. Less SNAP usage means less stability for businesses trying to stay afloat.
• The economy shrinks. Every $1 in SNAP benefits generates an estimated $1.50 to $1.80 in local economic activity. A drop in participation hurts everyone — not just the recipients.
• Increased health risks. Food insecurity leads to worse health outcomes and increased strain on our already limited healthcare infrastructure.

This isn’t oversight. It’s overreach.

The USDA already has systems in place to detect fraud. This move isn’t about catching cheaters — it’s about intimidating people away from the programs they qualify for. It’s a dangerous precedent that puts our neighbors’ privacy at risk and turns everyday families into potential surveillance targets.

What is being done?

Arguing that the federal administration is targeting immigrant communities, California is joining 18 other states to sue the administration over its requirement that states hand over sensitive information about recipients of federal food vouchers. California receives $1.3 billion a year in federal funding to operate CalFresh. About 5 million California residents, or 13% of the population, rely on the aid.

The states argue that this demand for data violates multiple federal privacy laws, fails to meet public comment requirements, exceeds USDA’s authority, and violates the Spending Clause of the Constitution. They also express concern that the data could be used to facilitate mass deportations.  The states that are part of the lawsuit coalition are: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin and The District of Columbia.

During the campaign President Trump said he was going to target criminals, now he’s just targeting people who are hungry – shameful that we’re seeing the presidency and other parts of the federal government to go after people who are struggling to survive; that’s why the states are suing the administration.

What can WE do?

• Raise awareness. Talk to your friends and neighbors. Make sure they understand what’s happening and why it matters locally.
• Support legal efforts. California is fighting back. Follow and amplify the efforts of AG Rob Bonta and organizations challenging this data grab.
• Protect participation. Let families know their rights, and that local support organizations will continue to help them navigate this challenging moment.
• Vote. These policies are happening because of who’s in office. Change starts at the ballot box.

Calaveras County knows what it means to look out for one another. This isn’t about politics — it’s about protecting our food systems, our families, and our freedom. The Trump administration’s “Big Beautiful Bill” may come wrapped in patriotic language, but for communities like ours, it’s a threat to both dignity and dinner.