The Keep Seniors Fed Act makes it easier for older adults and people with disabilities to qualify for SNAP benefits (the food assistance program formerly known as food stamps). Right now, when the government decides if someone qualifies for SNAP, it counts their Social Security retirement and disability checks as income. This bill changes that by saying those Social Security benefits won't count toward the income limit anymore. In practical terms, this means seniors and disabled people who receive Social Security will have a better chance of getting approved for food assistance, even if their Social Security payments would have previously made them ineligible. For example, a 70-year-old receiving $1,500 a month in Social Security retirement benefits wouldn't have that $1,500 counted against them when applying for SNAP. This could help millions of older Americans and people with disabilities afford groceries, since many of them live on modest fixed incomes and struggle to put food on the table.

Keep Seniors Fed Act

Tokuda, Jill N.

Keep Seniors Fed ActThis bill amends the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to exempt certain Social Security benefits (e.g., retirement and disability benefits) from household income for the purposes of determining program eligibility.