More than three million people in the United States have lost access to food assistance following the enforcement of stricter federal rules. According to The Wall Street Journal, citing federal data, participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has dropped by about 3.5 million since the new conditions took effect in July last year.

The revised policy requires able-bodied adults aged 18 to 64 without children under 14 to work, volunteer, or attend approved training for at least 80 hours per month to remain eligible. Previously, the work requirement applied only up to age 54, and adults with children under 18 were exempt. The new rules also exclude some legally residing non-citizens who were previously eligible, in addition to undocumented immigrants who were already barred.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that an average of 42.1 million people received SNAP benefits last fiscal year, costing about $101.7 billion. Since the implementation of President Donald Trump’s tax and spending law in July, participation has steadily declined, reaching 38.5 million by January, an 8 percent drop in six months.