Some policymakers have made fraud claims central to its push to cut federal funding for basic needs programs. But what do voters actually think? Hart Research conducted a national survey of 1,503 registered voters in March 2026 for the Partnership for Basic Needs, and the findings are clear: support for Medicaid, SNAP, childcare, housing, and other programs remains strong and unmoved even after a year of exaggerated attacks by the Trump administration. By almost 2 to 1, voters are more concerned that basic needs program cuts will hurt vulnerable people than they are that so-called “fraud” and abuse are being “tolerated” in these programs. 

Key Takeaways 

• Support is holding firm. Favorability for every basic needs program tested remains above 60% — and has ticked upward since 2025 despite sustained attacks on basic needs programs. 

• Voters want more funding, not less. 52% want federal funding increased; just 16% want any cuts.  

• Attacks on basic needs programs do not justify cuts. Two-thirds of voters are concerned about so-called “fraud” — yet 59% say ensuring programs help everyone who needs assistance is the higher priority, vs. 39% who prioritize fraud prevention. 

Finding 1: Support for Basic Needs Programs Is Holding Firm 

Despite targeted attacks from the administration, favorability for basic needs programs has not eroded — it has trended upward. Medicaid climbed from 78% to 80% favorability. SNAP rose from 72% to 74%. Free and reduced-cost school meals lead at 84% favorable. A full year of attacks on basic needs has not impacted public confidence in these programs. 

Key program favorability (March 2026): 

• Free and reduced-cost school meals: 84% favorable 

• Medicaid: 80% favorable (up from 78% in 2025) 

• Affordable housing programs: 78% favorable 

• Childcare programs: 76% favorable 

• SNAP (Food Stamps): 74% favorable (up from 72% in 2025) 

• Head Start: 69% favorable

Finding 2: Voters Want More Funding, Not Less 

52% of voters want increased federal funding for basic needs programs, including 21% who want it increased a lot. Just 16% want any reduction. That margin (+36 points) is virtually identical to a year ago (+35), showing the administration’s fraud messaging has made no dent on the belief that basic needs programs should be supported through more funding. 

Support for increased funding spans demographics: independents (55%), suburban voters (53%), Latino voters (63%), voters aged 18–34 (62%), non-college-educated voters (55%), and even 48% of low-income Republicans (household incomes under $50,000). 

When asked to choose a phrase that best describes these programs, voters reject negative framing by 2-to-1: 64% say basic needs programs are “a good investment for the country,” while just 31% say they’re “full of fraud and a waste of money.” Similarly, 65% say these programs mainly help people who need support.

Finding 3: Attacks Do Not Justify Basic Needs Cuts 

A majority, 59%, say the higher priority should be ensuring programs help everyone who needs assistance — versus just 39% who say preventing fraud should be the top priority. That gap holds across every region and every age group. Even among independents, 53% prioritize helping people over fraud prevention. Across all voters, 73% say their biggest worry is that fraud claims will result in cutting support for people who genuinely need and deserve it. 

The Bottom Line

A large majority of Americans — across party, age, geography, and income — view basic needs programs favorably, want them funded at higher levels, and reject using fraud claims as justification for cuts. A full year of fraud-focused messaging from the administration has not moved the needle. 

We should make it clear who pays the price when programs are gutted: children, seniors, parents, and working families who play by the rules and depend on these programs to meet their most basic needs. 

Methodology: Online survey of 1,503 U.S. registered voters matched to the voter file, conducted March 11–16, 2026 by Hart Research Associates for the Partnership for Basic Needs. Credibility interval ±2.53 percentage points for the full sample, with higher tolerances for subgroups.