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Bill
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To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to require consideration of the assets of a household for broad-based categorical eligibility for the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

S. 2359 · 116th Congress · Jul 31, 2019 · Lineage

A BILL

1. Assets as income for categorical eligibility for the supplemental nutrition assistance program

(a)
In general— Section 5(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2014(a)) is amended—
(1)
in the fourth sentence, by striking “Assistance” and inserting the following:

“(4) Availability of assistance—Assistance”

(2)
in the third sentence, by striking “Except” and inserting the following:

“(3) General assistance programs—Except”

(3)
in the second sentence—
(A)
by striking “Notwithstanding” and inserting the following:

“(2) Categorical eligibility

“(A) In general—Subject to subparagraph (B), and notwithstanding”

(B)
by adding at the end the following:

“(B) Consideration of assets

“(i) Definition of nonincome asset—In this subparagraph, the term “nonincome asset” means available cash (including in a savings account or checking account), a stock, a savings bond, a mutual fund, a pension fund, and a real estate holding (other than a primary home).

“(ii) Consideration of assets—A household described in subparagraph (A) shall not be eligible to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program if the total nonincome assets of the household are valued at not less than—

“(I) $2,250; or

“(II) in the case of a household that includes an elderly or disabled member, $3,500.”

(4)
by striking “(a) Participation” and inserting the following:

“(a) In general

“(1) Eligible households—Participation”

(b)
Conforming amendments—
(1)
Section 11(i)(2) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2020(i)(2)) is amended by striking “the second sentence of section 5(a)” and inserting “section 5(a)(2)”.
(2)
Section 17(b)(1)(B)(iv)(III)(bb) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C 2026(b)(1)(B)(iv)(III)(bb)) is amended by striking “the last sentence of section 5(a)” and inserting “section 5(a)(4)”.