Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “SNAP Reform Act of 2021”.
SNAP Reform Act of 2021
A BILL
To strengthen the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) categorical eligibility for applicants who already receive supplemental assistance elsewhere and for those with assets high enough to not require assistance, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Update to categorical eligibility
Section 5 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2014) is amended—
in the 2d sentence of subsection (a)—
by striking “receives benefits” and inserting “(1) receives cash assistance (not less than $150 a month for an extended period)”,
by striking “supplemental security” and inserting “with an income eligibility limit of not more than 130 percent of the poverty line as defined in section 5(c)(1), (2) is elderly or disabled and receives cash assistance or ongoing and subtantial services under a State program funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) with an income eligibility limit of not more than 200 percent of the poverty line as defined in section 5(c)(1), (3) receives supplemental security”, and
by striking “or aid” and inserting “or (4) receives aid ”, and
in subsection (j)—
by striking “or who receives benefits” and inserting “cash assistance (not less than $150 a month for an extended period)”, and
by striking “to have” and inserting “with an income eligibility limit of not more than 130 percent of the poverty line as defined in section 5(c)(1), or who is elderly or disabled and receives cash assistance or ongoing and substantial services under a State program funded under part A of title IV of the Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) with an income eligibility limit of not more than 200 percent of the poverty line as defined in section 5(c)(1), to have”.
Sec. 3 Availability of standard utility allowances based on receipt of energy assistance
Section 5(k)(4) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2014(k)(4)) is amended—
in subparagraph (A) by inserting “without an elderly member” after “household” the 1st place it appears, and
in subparagraph (B) by inserting “with an elderly member” after “household” the 1st place it appears.
Sec. 4 Adjustment to asset limitations
Section 5(g)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2014(g)(1)) is amended—
in subparagraph (A)—
by striking “$2,000” and inserting “$7,000”, and
by striking “$3,000” and inserting “$12,000”, and—
in subparagraph (B)(i) by striking “2019” and inserting “2022”.
Sec. 5 Adjustments for inflation; updated vehicle allowance
Section 5(g) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2014(g)) is amended—
in paragraph (1)(B)(i)—
by striking “(i) In general.—Beginning” and inserting the following:
“(i) In general
“(I) Beginning”
by adding at the end the following:
“(II) Beginning on October 1, 2021, and each October 1 thereafter, the amount specified in paragraph (2)(B)(iv) shall be adjusted in the manner described in subclause (I).”
in paragraph (2)—
by amending subparagraph (B)—
by amending clause (iv) to read as follows:
“(iv) subject to subparagraph (C), with respect to any licensed vehicle that is used for household transportation or to obtain or continue employment—
“(I) 1 vehicle for each licensed driver who is a member of such household; and
“(II) each additional vehicle; and”
in clause (v) by inserting “to the extend such value exceeds $7,500” after “account”, and
by striking subparagraph (D).
Sec. 6 Savings excluded from assets
Section 5(g) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2014(g)), as amended by section 5, is amended—
in paragraph (1)(B)(i) by adding at the end the following:
“(III) Beginning on October 1, 2021, and each October 1 thereafter, the amount specified in paragraph (2)(B)(v) shall be adjusted in the manner described in subclause (I).”
in paragraph (2)(B)(v) by inserting “to the extent that the value exceeds $7,500” after “account”.
Sec. 7 Allowance to recipients of energy assistance
Standard utility allowance— Section 5(e)(6)(C)(iv)(I) of the of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2014(e)(6)(C)(iv)(I)) is amended by inserting “with an elderly member” after “households”.
Conforming amendment— Section 2605(f)(2)(A) of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 8624(f)(2)(A)) is amended by inserting “received by a household with an elderly member” before “, consistent with section 5(e)(6)(C)(iv)(I)”.
Sec. 8 Effective date
Effective date— Except as provided in subsection (b), this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Application of amendments— The amendments made by this Act shall apply with respect to certification periods that begin after the effective date of this Act.