The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance is warning that proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program could cost Arkansas millions of dollars.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the state could lose additional federal funding because of its error rate, which measures instances where benefits were issued in incorrect amounts.

Lance Whitney, director of public policy and advocacy with the alliance, said cuts to SNAP would affect the entire state.

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“As we are trying to move the needle from hunger in Arkansas, we are also trying to let everyone who's voting, everyone who's electing officials, to understand the importance of their stance on getting us to move that needle from being number one in food insecurity in the nation,” Whitney said.

Starting in 2028, states will be required to pay a portion of the administrative fees for SNAP. Combined with lost funding tied to the error rate, the changes could cost Arkansas about $70 million annually.

Whitney urged lawmakers to appropriate funds to cover the budget shortfall.

SNAP does more than help families buy groceries. Participation in the program is one of the primary ways children are connected to free and reduced-price school meals and Summer EBT benefits.

Whitney said schools also use SNAP participation data to determine eligibility for the Community Eligibility Provision, which allows schools in high-poverty areas to provide free meals to all students.

“Food is medicine. Food is education. Food does help the teachers be able to teach. It helps the children be able to learn,” Whitney said. “There's a direct link to nutritious food and the progress and success of educational programs.”

Arkansas has ranked No. 1 for food insecurity in the nation for three consecutive years.