In this brief, we examine the extent to which working-age adults and their families lost Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in 2024 because of challenges with the eligibility recertification process. Drawing on nationally representative survey data, we find that paperwork burdens were common, with one in eight working-age adults in families receiving SNAP reporting that their benefits were stopped or interrupted because they were unable to recertify their eligibility on time. This was a more common reason for losing benefits than being determined ineligible.

Why This Matters

Reduction and loss of SNAP benefits are associated with increased household food insecurity and worse health. The budget reconciliation bill signed into law in July 2025 makes several changes that are likely to increase the risk of benefit loss resulting from administrative burdens on both families and SNAP administrators. Our analysis provides a baseline assessment of how paperwork challenges are already affecting families prior to these changes.

What We Found

• In December 2024, nearly one in four adults ages 18 to 64 in families receiving SNAP (24 percent) reported that their benefits were stopped or interrupted during the last year. This share included one in eight adults (13 percent) who lost benefits because of problems recertifying their eligibility on time and one in twelve adults (8 percent) who were told they were no longer eligible.
• The most common reasons for benefit loss because of recertification challenges included not having enough time to recertify after getting a notice (40 percent) or not receiving a notice from the state (32 percent).
• Adults were more likely to experience benefit interruptions if they were working, living with children, or in younger age groups.
• The upcoming expansion of SNAP work requirements and increased administrative pressures for states are expected to increase the risk of benefit loss for families nationwide.

How We Did It

Our analysis draws on data from a nationally representative sample of more than 7,500 adults ages 18 to 64 who participated in the Urban Institute’s December 2024 Well-Being and Basic Needs Survey. We estimated the share of working-age adults in families receiving SNAP in 2024 who reported their or their family’s benefits were involuntarily stopped or interrupted during the year, including the share who experienced loss or interruption of benefits because they were unable to recertify their eligibility on time.