SNAP/Farm Bill

H.R.1368 — Introduced February 26, 2019 by Representative Alma Adams (D-NC) and 104 original co-sponsors.

What it does: Increases benefits for all SNAP participants by basing benefits on the Low Cost Meal Plan instead of the Thrifty Food Plan; increases SNAP benefits for families with children with high shelter costs by removing the cap on the SNAP shelter deduction; raises the SNAP monthly minimum benefit to $25; removes additional SNAP eligibility requirements for full- and part-time students enrolled in an institution of higher education and students responsible for the care of disabled members of households; and authorizes a SNAP Standard Excess Medical Deduction for persons who are elderly or have disabilities (with a minimum standard of $140). See the co-sponsors.

S. 2723 — Introduced April 18, 2018 by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and four original co-sponsors.

What it does: Changes the SNAP benefits formula for children ages 5-17 years old by basing allotments on the “Low Cost” rather than the “Thrifty” Food Plan; and regularly updates the SNAP formula to ensure that the benefit will not fall behind as food costs rise. See the co-sponsors.

H.R. 1276 – Introduced March 1, 2017 by Representative Alma Adams (D-NC) and 30 original co-sponsors.

What it does: Increases SNAP benefit adequacy by: replacing the Thrifty Food Plan with the Low-Cost Food Plan as the basis for SNAP benefits; eliminating the cap on the SNAP Excess Shelter Deduction; raising the minimum SNAP benefit from $16 to $25 per month; and authorizing a SNAP Standard Excess Medical Deduction for persons who are elderly or have disabilities (with a minimum standard of $140). Also protects certain jobless adults who are willing to work from being time limited out of SNAP if the state does not offer them SNAP Employment and Training (E& T) positions. See the co-sponsors.

H.R.5215 – Introduced May 12, 2016 by Representative Alma Adams (D-NC) and eight original co-sponsors.    

What it does: Authorizes a SNAP Standard Excess Medical Deduction for persons who are elderly or have disabilities (with a minimum standard of $140); replaces the Thrifty Food Plan with the Low-Cost Food Plan as the basis for SNAP benefits; eliminates the cap on the SNAP Excess Shelter Deduction; raises the minimum SNAP benefit from $16 to $25 per month; and exempts jobless adults from SNAP time limits if the state does not provide them with a SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E & T) slot. See the co-sponsors.

S. 2420 – Introduced December 17, 2015 by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).

What it does: Preserves access to SNAP benefits for certain jobless able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) who are seeking work but who are not selected for a state job training or workfare program. Also exempts from time limits on their SNAP benefits military veterans who participate in a Veterans Affairs or State rehabilitation or employment program. See the co-sponsors.

H.R. 1025 – Introduced February 24, 2015 by Representative Jim McDermott (D-WA).

What it does: Preserves access to SNAP benefits for certain jobless able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) by exempting them from time limits on their SNAP benefits if they are not selected for a state job training or workfare program. See the co-sponsors.

 H.R. 3657 – Introduced September 30, 2015 by Representative Theodore E. Deutch (D-FL).

What it does: Improves SNAP by requiring benefits to be calculated using the government’s Low-Cost Food Plan instead of the Thrifty Food Plan. See the co-sponsors.