Introduced in the Senate, the Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2025 would change how Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are calculated. It would use the low-cost food plan instead of the thrifty food plan, update food costs each year, and review the plan’s food baskets at least every five years starting by December 31, 2031. It would also change medical and shelter expense deductions and remove a time limit on benefits for certain adults.
If you receive or apply for SNAP, the bill would change the food-cost measure used to calculate benefits. It would allow eligible older adults and people with disabilities to use a standard medical deduction or deduct their actual allowable medical costs. The bill would also remove the time limit that applies to certain adults who do not live with dependent children. Individual effects would depend on household circumstances.
The bill sets a $140 standard medical expense deduction for fiscal year 2025, with later amounts adjusted for medical-care inflation. States could set a higher amount if it meets federal cost-neutrality standards. The bill also adds $35 million to a specified commodity amount for fiscal year 2025. No overall cost estimate is provided in the bill text.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.