# Refugee families in Lincoln face hunger after federal SNAP benefits cut  
**Published:** 2026-05-13T11:00:00.000Z  
**Source:** [Flatwater Free Press](https://flatwaterfreepress.org/with-snap-aid-cut-off-a-refugee-father-of-8-wonders-how-hell-keep-food-on-the-table/)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://lincolne.news/article/refugee-families-in-lincoln-face-hunger-after-federal-snap-benefits-cut

LINCOLN, Neb. — More than 2,000 Nebraska refugees have lost access to food assistance since December, when [federal restrictions eliminated their eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits](https://flatwaterfreepress.org/with-snap-aid-cut-off-a-refugee-father-of-8-wonders-how-hell-keep-food-on-the-table/), according to reporting from the Flatwater Free Press. One Afghan refugee, working long hours at physically demanding factory jobs despite health concerns, now juggles rent, insurance and other bills while struggling to feed his family of 10 after losing $1,833 in monthly food aid.

The cutoff stems from [President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law July 4, 2025](https://www.rescue.org/article/how-have-trump-policies-impacted-refugees), which eliminated longstanding eligibility for newly arrived refugees and people granted asylum to receive SNAP benefits. [Nebraska, along with Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa and Kansas, implemented the changes in October 2025](https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/immigrants-lose-access-to-food-aid-in-more-states-as-federal-restrictions-take-effect/). New applicants faced immediate restrictions, while existing recipients lost benefits during their recertification periods.

The federal changes are already straining community support systems. Hannah Vlach, founder of the nonprofit Restoring Dignity, warned that volunteer-led assistance efforts "are not sustainable" as [costs for groceries and other essentials continue rising](https://flatwaterfreepress.org/with-snap-aid-cut-off-a-refugee-father-of-8-wonders-how-hell-keep-food-on-the-table/). Grocery stores operated by and serving refugee communities report disappearing customer bases.

[A state legislative bill aimed at restoring SNAP benefits for eligible refugees languished in committee during Nebraska's recent legislative session](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/02/19/refugees-and-advocates-seek-to-restore-food-aid-lost-under-new-federal-rules/). Supporters, including refugees and advocacy organizations, testified about the hardship faced by families who relied on the assistance while learning English and developing job skills. The state's Department of Health and Human Services remained neutral on the proposal.

[The Congressional Budget Office estimated that as many as 90,000 people could lose SNAP eligibility in an average month because of the provision](https://www.rescue.org/article/how-have-trump-policies-impacted-refugees). [Lincoln has been a major destination for refugee resettlement, with local resettlement agencies indicating they have historically brought in approximately 200 new refugees annually](https://flatwaterfreepress.org/with-snap-aid-cut-off-a-refugee-father-of-8-wonders-how-hell-keep-food-on-the-table/).

Refugee advocates argue the cuts undermine the promise of American resettlement. [Historical data shows that from 2005 to 2019, refugees and asylees contributed $123.8 billion in net fiscal benefit to the United States](https://www.rescue.org/article/how-have-trump-policies-impacted-refugees), yet the new law eliminates assistance precisely when families are beginning their transitions.

## Sources

- [Flatwater Free Press](https://flatwaterfreepress.org/with-snap-aid-cut-off-a-refugee-father-of-8-wonders-how-hell-keep-food-on-the-table/)
- [Nebraska Examiner - Legislative bill seeking to restore refugee SNAP benefits](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/02/19/refugees-and-advocates-seek-to-restore-food-aid-lost-under-new-federal-rules/)
- [Nebraska Public Media - Federal SNAP restrictions implementation timeline](https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/immigrants-lose-access-to-food-aid-in-more-states-as-federal-restrictions-take-effect/)
- [International Rescue Committee - Trump administration refugee policy impacts](https://www.rescue.org/article/how-have-trump-policies-impacted-refugees)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Flatwater Free Press, enriched with 3 web searches. The original source is available at https://flatwaterfreepress.org/with-snap-aid-cut-off-a-refugee-father-of-8-wonders-how-hell-keep-food-on-the-table/.