A NEW bill has been introduced that could help SNAP recipients keep more of their benefits, so long as they meet two requirements.
It comes amid new policies implemented by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA), signed into law by President Donald Trump in July.
SNAP benefits can be more attainable for some under a proposed bill (stock image)[/caption]
As part of the OBBA, low-income households that obtain monthly checks from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) program will see updated work requirements to qualify and payment reductions in select cases.
Except, under the new proposal this month introduced by Ohio Senator John Husted (R), young adults in career and technical education (CTE) programs could work part-time without risking losing their SNAP benefits.
The proposal is called the Food Eligibility for Education and Development (FEED) Act. per Newsweek.
As it stands, rules for SNAP discourage low-income students to take part of CTE programs because the earnings they get from it could cut or even eliminate their family’s benefits, according to Husted.
Excluding the wages from household income data would remove the barrier affecting thousands of Americans.
Husted’s office cited at least 50,000 residents between 18 to 21 “not taking advantage of work-based learning programs.”
SNAP is predominantly based on three things — household income, expenses, and family size.
A household’s monthly income is compared to the federal poverty level, with deductions applied like housing costs, medical expenses for seniors or those persons with disabilities, and child care.
ONLY TWO
With FEED, the eligibility rules would only require that these Americans be in the age range of 18 to 21 and that they are enrolled in a CTE program to get the full SNAP benefits without any cuts.
“Under current SNAP eligibility rules, students from low-income families who earn wages via their enrollment in CTE programs risk losing their SNAP benefits because their earnings count toward the collective household income,” a press release from Husted emphasized.
“Students enrolled in career and technical education programs are working hard to prepare for high-skill, high-demand jobs.”
“My bill corrects outdated SNAP laws so CTE students enrolled in SNAP can continue their education without jeopardizing their families’ benefits,” he continued.
So far, the bill has been introduced in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
It requires further action and approval to be made into law.
What are SNAP benefits?
Over 41 million people in America receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits each month.
SNAP provides food benefits to low-income households to help people get groceries.
Recipients get money on a debit card that can be used at grocery stores and farmers markets.
The amount of money distributed depends on several factors including how much money you make, how much money you receive from other benefits, and how many people are in your household.
The electronic benefits can help people buy food including food and vegetables, meat, fish, dairy products, breads, cereals, and snacks.
You can’t use SNAP to buy alcohol, cigarettes, hot foods, or cooking utensils.
Source: USDA
CASH CUT
Some experts have dubbed the updated SNAP policies as part of the OBBA the “largest cut to SNAP in history,” per CNBC.
Data from the Urban Institute cited anywhere between $72 and $231 will be axed monthly from checks for those who are currently eligible for benefits and an overall total of $186 billion cut from SNAP altogether.
Congressional Budget Office estimates also report that about 30% of funds set aside for beneficiaries will be slashed by 2034, but that would also reduce the federal deficit by a whopping $309 billion.
Additionally, 2.4 million fewer Americans will be eligible for SNAP month to month under the OBBA policies.
One of the main contributing factors of the benefit reductions has to do with the requirement of states needing to provide a portion of the funding, per the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
It was previously 100% federally funded, but the OBBA, states have to provide as much as 25%.
This can put strain on their budgets and take away from other vital public services.
At least 12 US states are also now on board to ban recipients from purchasing certain food and drink items from stores.
Four other states have also expanded laws banning a common grocery item this year.
