# Plain Language Summary: COLA's Don't Count Act of 2021

This bill changes how the government calculates who qualifies for food assistance benefits (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps). Right now, when the government decides if someone is eligible for food assistance and how much they can receive, it counts all their income—including the annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) that Social Security recipients get. These adjustments are small yearly increases meant to help seniors and disabled people keep up with inflation. This bill says those COLA increases shouldn't count as income when determining food assistance eligibility and benefit amounts.

Here's why this matters in practical terms: Imagine a senior citizen on Social Security who receives a $35 monthly COLA increase. Currently, that $35 counts toward their total income, which might push them over the limit for food assistance or reduce their benefits. Under this bill, that $35 would be ignored, so they could either qualify for benefits they previously didn't, or receive more assistance than they currently do. The same applies to disabled people receiving Social Security benefits and supplementary payments. The bill specifically targets Social Security income (both regular retirement and disability benefits) and supplementary payments for low-income seniors and disabled individuals.

The practical effect is that seniors and disabled people on fixed incomes would have an easier time qualifying for food assistance, and those already receiving it would likely get more help. This could be significant for people living on very tight budgets, since even small COLA increases can sometimes disqualify them from benefits or reduce what they receive. If passed, the changes would take effect on October 1, 2021.

COLA’s Don’t Count Act of 2021

Moore, Gwen

COLA's Don't Count Act of 2021 This bill revises requirements for determining eligibility and benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) to exclude household income received from certain cost-of-living adjustments and supplementary payments under the Social Security Act.