bill keeping SNAP eligibility for a full 12 months

The text as introduced · 573 words

89R2181 MM-D

By: Rose
H.B. No. 5160

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance

program benefits.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 33, Human Resources Code,

is amended by adding Sections 33.016 and 33.0215 to read as follows:

Sec. 33.016. PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN PERSONS FOR

SNAP BENEFITS. (a) The commission by rule shall ensure that an

individual whose eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance

program benefits has been initially established or recertified

remains eligible to receive those benefits for a period of 12

months.

(b) The commission may adjust the eligibility period

described by Subsection (a) as necessary to align an individual's

recertification of eligibility for supplemental nutrition

assistance program benefits with the redetermination of

eligibility of a child residing in the same household for medical

assistance program benefits under Chapter 32.

(c) This section does not apply to an individual receiving

supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits who:

(1) at the time the individual's eligibility for

benefits is initially established or recertified, expects a change

in circumstances within six months following the establishment or

recertification of eligibility that will make the individual

ineligible to receive the benefits;

(2) is 60 years of age or older or has a disability,

has no earned income, and resides in a household in which every

other individual residing in the household:

(A) is 60 years of age or older or has a

disability; and

(B) has no earned income; or

(3) resides in a household in which at least one

individual:

(A) is at least 18 years of age but younger than

50 years of age;

(B) has no dependents; and

(C) does not have a disability.

Sec. 33.0215. ANNUAL INFLATION ADJUSTMENT OF RESOURCES

EXCLUDED IN DETERMINING SNAP ELIGIBILITY. (a) Subject to

Subsection (b), the executive commissioner by rule shall adjust for

inflation the maximum amount the commission prescribes, if any, for

a resource excluded from the resources of an applicant's household

for purposes of determining the applicant's eligibility for

supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits.

(b) Not later than October 1 of each year, the maximum

amount of a resource described by Subsection (a) must be adjusted to

reflect the change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban

Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics or its

successor index during the preceding 12-month period ending in

June.

(c) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), for the initial

adjustment under Subsection (a), the executive commissioner shall

adjust the maximum amount the commission prescribes for an excluded

resource to reflect the change in the Consumer Price Index for All

Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics during

each 12-month period since July 1, 2001. This subsection expires

October 1, 2026.

SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to an

initial determination or recertification of eligibility of an

individual for the supplemental nutrition assistance program under

Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, that is made on or after the

effective date of this Act.

SECTION 3. If before implementing any provision of this Act

a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a

federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,

the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or

authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the

waiver or authorization is granted.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.