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OLR Bill Analysis
sSB 1418
AN ACT REDUCING BARRIERS TO FOOD SECURITY.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Department of Social Services (DSS)
commissioner, within available appropriations, to increase the
minimum Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit
to $95. (The current federal minimum monthly SNAP benefit is $23.)
The bill also requires the DSS commissioner to apply for a federal
Section 1115 demonstration waiver to provide Medicaid coverage for
“food as medicine,” which is nutritional and meal preparation planning
directed by a qualified health professional to treat chronic health
conditions (e.g., cardiovascular or cardiopulmonary conditions or
diabetes).
While the bill does not set a deadline for applying for the waiver, it
requires the DSS commissioner to report to the Human Services and
Public Health committees by January 1, 2026, on the number of
Medicaid beneficiaries receiving food as medicine and any available
data on the effect it has on their chronic health conditions. (It is unlikely
that DSS will develop and receive federal approval for a waiver and
implement a program in time to comply with this reporting
requirement.)
Lastly, the bill requires the DSS commissioner to establish, within
available appropriations, a healthy food incentive program. She must
do this by September 1, 2025, and in consultation with the Department
of Agriculture (DoAg) commissioner.
Under the bill, this program gives SNAP beneficiaries a one-dollar
credit for every dollar in SNAP benefits that they spend on fresh
produce (unprocessed fruits and vegetables) at certified farmers’ 2025SB-01418-R000437-BA.DOCX
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markets (i.e those the DoAg commissioner authorizes), up to $50 per
month.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2025
COMMITTEE ACTION
Human Services Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 16 Nay 6 (03/13/2025)