By SUZANNE DOWNING
Aug. 16, 2026 – Alaska was the only state in the nation to record an increase in food-stamp participation over the past year, even as enrollment plunged by more than 5.3 million people nationwide with tighter federal eligibility and work rules.
Preliminary data from the US Department of Agriculture show that 37,011,096 people received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in April 2026, down from 42,357,046 in April 2025.
It’s a decline of 5,345,950 recipients, or 12.6%, in one year.
Alaska moved in the opposite direction. The number of Alaskans receiving SNAP benefits increased from 63,507 in April 2025 to 68,683 in April 2026, a gain of 5,176 people, or 8.2%.
Every other state and the District of Columbia reported a decline.
To compare, Florida’s SNAP enrollment dropped 22.1%. Texas fell 14.6%. Even Hawaii, which shares Alaska’s higher food costs and special federal benefit calculations, declined 2.3%.
Arizona recorded the largest percentage reduction, falling 54.8%. Georgia declined 27.9% and Louisiana dropped 22%.
The national contraction comes as states implement provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed by President Donald Trump in July 2025. The law expanded SNAP’s existing work rules to additional able-bodied adults, narrowed states’ ability to obtain waivers and restricted eligibility for some noncitizens.
Under the expanded rules, many able-bodied adults must work, train or volunteer at least 80 hours per month to continue receiving benefits beyond three months in a three-year period. The law extended the requirement to adults through age 64 and to some parents and caregivers whose children are 14 or older.
Alaska’s increase may reflect the state finally processing applications and renewals that had accumulated during years of severe administrative backlogs.
Alaska’s Division of Public Assistance has struggled with staffing shortages, outdated computer systems, delayed applications and some of the nation’s highest SNAP payment-error rates. At various times, eligible Alaskans waited months for their applications or recertifications to be processed.
The Dunleavy administration has invested tens of millions of dollars in additional staffing, contractors and technology intended to work through those delays. The Department of Health has said expanded online applications, improved forms, new scheduling systems and other changes have made it easier for eligible residents to apply and receive benefits.
In June, the department attributed Alaska’s earlier enrollment increase partly to those modernization efforts and to the state’s unusual economic conditions, including high food prices, seasonal employment and limited access to services in rural communities.
Alaska also has special circumstances under the new federal law. Alaska Natives and members of federally recognized tribes are exempt from the expanded work time limit. Federal law also gives Alaska and Hawaii access to certain “good faith” exemptions, and some implementation requirements may be delayed with USDA approval.
