This bill makes it easier for lower-income households to get more food assistance by removing a limit on how much they can deduct for housing costs when applying for SNAP benefits (the federal food stamp program). Right now, there's a cap on how much you can subtract for rent, mortgage, utilities, and other housing expenses—currently $712 per month in most states. This bill would eliminate that cap entirely. Here's what that means in practice: if a household spends $1,500 on rent and utilities but only makes $2,000 a month, they could deduct all $1,500 of those housing costs instead of being limited to $712. This larger deduction would lower their counted income, which could qualify them for more food assistance or help them stay eligible when they otherwise wouldn't be. The change would mainly help people in expensive housing markets or those with high utility bills. There's an exception already in current law for elderly or disabled household members, who can already deduct all their housing costs without a cap—this bill would extend that same flexibility to everyone else.

SNAP Benefits Fairness Act of 2025

McIver, LaMonica

SNAP Benefits Fairness Act of 2025This bill repeals the shelter deduction cap for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit, thereby allowing a household to deduct all allowable housing expenses (e.g., rent or mortgage, electricity, and water costs) that exceed 50% of a household's income after other deductions when calculating net income to determine SNAP benefits.Under current law, the shelter deduction is capped (unless at least one household member is an elderly or disabled individual), and the cap is adjusted annually for inflation. In FY2025, the shelter deduction is capped at $712&nbsp;for households in the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia.