The proposed changes will significantly impact how SNAP benefits are calculated and distributed to families, particularly in states with varying costs of living, such as Hawaii and Alaska. The bill also includes provisions for a reevaluation of the low-cost food plan every five years, designed to adjust benefits to reflect changing economic conditions. This could lead to an increase in the overall benefits provided to low-income families, which is essential in combating food insecurity and nutritional deficiencies.
Summary
SB1336, known as the 'Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2023,' aims to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. This bill mandates that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits be calculated based on the value of the low-cost food plan, which reflects current food prices and dietary guidelines. The legislation seeks to enhance the adequacy of SNAP benefits for eligible households, ensuring they receive sufficient assistance to maintain a basic standard of nutrition.
Contention
One notable point of contention surrounding SB1336 is its implication for state-level implementation, especially concerning the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Currently, there are specific provisions to transition Puerto Rico into the SNAP program fully, a change that has garnered mixed reactions. Supporters argue that this inclusion will improve food security in Puerto Rico, while critics express concerns about the long-term financial implications for the federal budget and potential administrative challenges in implementing these new standards.
Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act This bill sets out a process to enable Puerto Rico to participate as a state in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Under current law, a state receives SNAP funding based on the number of participating households in the state whereas Puerto Rico receives a block grant to fund its nutrition assistance program. The bill requires Puerto Rico to submit to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) a plan of operation to transition away from the consolidated block grant program to SNAP. USDA must provide appropriate training and technical assistance to enable Puerto Rico to formulate such plan.