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On May 22nd, the House of Representatives passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which will implement significant cuts to Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). With these new challenges, BeneLynk remains committed to helping vulnerable individuals access these essential resources. While this blog post will focus on the SNAP program, BeneLynk has previously highlighted the importance of both Medicaid and LIHEAP. You can read more about those topics here: Medicaid, LIHEAP.
Why Good Nutrition Matters
Good nutrition is the foundation of a healthy life. It supports physical well-being, helps prevent chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes, and is especially critical for vulnerable populations, such as older adults, children, and individuals managing chronic conditions. The current administration has identified good nutrition as a national priority, supporting policy updates that encourage access to healthy foods, strengthen nutrition standards in federal programs, and change SNAP to promote healthy eating and reduce diet-related diseases.
Barriers to Nutritious Food
Despite the well-known benefits of a balanced diet, millions of people, especially those in low-income or underserved communities, face significant barriers to accessing healthy food. High costs, limited availability, and lack of transportation are just a few of the challenges that can lead to poor dietary habits and food insecurity.
For many, government programs like SNAP are essential to bridge this gap. In Fiscal Year 2023, SNAP provided support to 42.1 million people each month on average, making it a critical lifeline for millions of Americans.
Evolving SNAP Policies: Funding Cuts and Health-Focused Reforms
In 2025, SNAP faces a dual challenge: proposed federal funding cuts and evolving state-level policy reforms. The House Agriculture Committee has approved nearly $300 billion in cuts to SNAP, potentially reducing the program’s funding by almost 30% over the next decade. These reductions, if enacted, could significantly impact the millions of Americans who rely on SNAP to meet their nutritional needs.
At the same time, many states have introduced changes aimed at encouraging healthier food choices within the SNAP program. These reforms include limiting the purchase of sugary snacks and beverages in an effort to reduce diet-related health conditions such as obesity and diabetes. While these changes may initially feel challenging for families, they’re intended to promote better health, and over time, they may help reduce healthcare costs covered by programs such as Medicaid and Medicare.
These proposed changes will have profound effects on low-income families. Despite these challenges, it's important to note that benefits, although potentially reduced, remain available and continue to provide crucial support.
How BeneLynk Helps Address Food Needs
A 2022 AARP report estimated that up to 16 million older adults may be eligible for SNAP but are not currently enrolled. Many face unique barriers, including a lack of awareness, digital access challenges, and stigma, that can prevent them from seeking support. At BeneLynk, we take a person-centered approach to overcome these obstacles, offering compassionate, individualized assistance that meets both immediate and long-term food needs.
Food insecurity is one of the most pressing health-related social needs (HRSNs), and our advocates are trained to identify it through meaningful, human conversations. When a member is at risk, we guide them through the SNAP enrollment process and can connect them with additional community-based nutrition resources, such as food banks, community meal programs, and educational services.
With proposed reductions to SNAP funding on the horizon, access to social care advocacy is more important than ever. Even if benefits are reduced, SNAP remains a lifeline for many, and BeneLynk is committed to helping members access every available resource to support better nutrition and overall well-being.
If you have questions about how social care experts can benefit your plan and members, reach out today at sales@benelynk.com!