Oklahoma could lose about $300 million a year if proposed cuts happen
Tulsa, OK: March 4, 2025 — As Congress engages in critical budget resolution discussions, we urge lawmakers to safeguard essential safety net programs that serve as lifelines for hundreds of thousands of Oklahomans. Proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, and other vital services threaten not only the well-being of vulnerable populations, but also Oklahoma’s economic stability and health.
The House’s recent budget proposal directs the Agriculture Committee to cut programs in its jurisdiction by $230 billion through 2034, with the funding for the nation’s largest food security program, SNAP, particularly at risk. Though specific approaches to the cuts have not been announced, the suggested reductions could decrease benefits by at least 20%, compounding food insecurity amidst the rising cost of living. Such measures would especially affect children, older people, and individuals with disabilities, leading to increased reliance on already overburdened food banks.
If the proposed cuts happen across the board, Oklahoma could lose about $300 million a year. This would make it harder to fight hunger and could hurt local economies. Programs that help people with basic needs also support local businesses and jobs.
It’s important for lawmakers to protect this funding to help keep Oklahomans stable and healthy.
“Cuts to SNAP will not only increase food insecurity but also damage our local economies,” said Hunger Free Oklahoma President/CEO Chris Bernard. “SNAP and Medicaid have been shown to increase educational outcomes, reduce chronic illness, and reduce the likelihood that children on the programs will continue to need them as adults. Put simply, they save money in the long term by decreasing costs and producing healthy citizens. Any cuts to these programs are shortsighted and will cost us much more than it may appear to save.
Hunger Free Oklahoma urges Congress to consider the profound human and economic consequences of cutting essential safety net programs. Preserving Medicaid, SNAP, and similar services is crucial not only for the individuals who receive these benefits but also for maintaining the economic resilience of our communities. We stand ready to collaborate with lawmakers to develop fiscally responsible solutions that uphold the dignity and well-being of all Oklahomans.
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Hunger Free Oklahoma is an anti-hunger organization dedicated to improving food access for all Oklahoma. HFO leverages the power of collaboration to solve hunger in Oklahoma by improving systems, policies, and practices. Learn more at HungerFreeOK.org.
SNAP, the nation’s largest anti-hunger program, is a federally funded, state-administered nutrition program. In 2024, SNAP served nearly 700,000 Oklahomans and brought back over $1.5 billion of our tax dollars to our economy.