The U.S. Department of Agriculture is proposing to narrow an eligibility pathway for food assistance, potentially affecting households that qualify for SNAP through certain benefits funded by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF.

The proposal concerns “categorical eligibility,” a process that allows households qualifying for TANF or certain other means-tested programs to qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program through a simplified route.

Current SNAP regulations count both cash assistance and noncash or in-kind benefits or services from TANF-funded programs. USDA wants to limit the TANF-based pathway to households receiving TANF “assistance” as defined in federal rules, rather than the broader range of benefits or services now recognized.

That definition includes cash, payments, vouchers and other benefits designed to meet a family’s ongoing basic needs, as well as certain supportive services. It is not simply a cash-only rule. The distinction matters for households qualifying through TANF-funded services that fall outside that definition.

This is a proposed rule, not a benefit reduction taking effect today. The public comment period remains open through December 10. The federal notice does not quantify how many Lakewood or New Jersey households would be affected.

Nationwide, USDA estimates that 3.2 million households, containing 6.3 million people, would no longer receive SNAP benefits in fiscal year 2029, the first year it expects the proposal’s full effects. Those are federal projections if the proposal takes effect, not a count of people losing benefits now.

USDA says the change would target SNAP benefits to households that have qualified for TANF assistance while preserving the administrative purpose of categorical eligibility. It projects about $44.6 billion less in federal SNAP benefit spending over fiscal years 2027 through 2031, along with more administrative work for states.

There could also be school-meal effects. USDA estimates about 1.78 million children would lose automatic eligibility for free meals through this route, but says approximately 97 percent would remain eligible for free or reduced-price meals based on household income and could qualify through a different process.

The proposal is separate from the SNAP work-rule waiver changes. That rulemaking addresses work-related time limits and state waivers; this one addresses the TANF-linked eligibility pathway.

Readers can review the Federal Register notice and submit comments by December 10. Comments may be emailed to [email protected], with docket number FNA-2026-0661 and “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Reforming Categorical Eligibility” in the subject line.

USDA cautions that comments, including the identity of those submitting them, will be made public.