This bill changes parts of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to make it easier for elderly and disabled people to get and keep Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Key changes: it allows a 36-month certification period for households with no earned income; it lets States offer a standard medical expense deduction for elderly or disabled members who self-attest to having medical costs over $35 per month; it sets the standard deduction at $155 for fiscal year 2026 and then ties future amounts to the Medical Care Consumer Price Index; and it allows State agencies to use data matches instead of additional income verification for households that qualify for the 36-month certification. The bill takes effect 180 days after enactment and does not apply to certification periods that start before that effective date.
No publicly available information on the total cost to the federal government or States. The bill specifies a standard medical deduction amount of $155 for fiscal year 2026 and requires future adjustments each year based on the Consumer Price Index for Medical Care. The bill does not include an overall budget estimate or cost analysis.
The bill’s stated purpose in its title and text is to simplify SNAP access for elderly and disabled individuals by reducing paperwork and extending certification periods, and by creating an easier way to claim medical expense deductions.
No publicly available information on objections, opposition arguments, or estimates of negative impacts in the bill text or provided metadata.