Blanco’s bill orders monthly SNAP quality-control reviews

The text as introduced · 624 words

89R3101 MM-D

By: Blanco
S.B. No. 1031

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to eligibility for and benefits under the supplemental

nutrition assistance program.

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 33.0025 and 33.020 to read as follows:

Sec. 33.0025. SNAP QUALITY CONTROL REVIEW PROCESS. (a) In

accordance with federal law, including 7 U.S.C. Section 2025(c),

the commission shall implement a quality control review process

under which the commission on a monthly basis conducts a review of a

random sample of households which are participating in the

supplemental nutrition assistance program and households for which

participation in the program was denied, suspended, or terminated

to determine whether the selected households are eligible and

receiving the correct allotment of benefits under the program.

(b) For purposes of conducting the quality control review

process, the commission may access or use appropriate electronic

data sources to verify a household's eligibility for and correct

allotment of benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance

program.

Sec. 33.020. PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN PERSONS FOR

SNAP BENEFITS. (a) Except as provided by Section 33.019(b)(3), 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 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

54 years of age;

(B) has no dependents; and

(C) does not have a disability.

(d) During the 12-month eligibility period prescribed by

this section, the commission shall require that the individual

submit to the commission a periodic report indicating whether the

individual has experienced a change in income, household

composition, or residence. The commission shall require that the

individual submit the report not earlier than the fourth month and

not later than the sixth month after the date the individual's

eligibility was initially established or recertified.

(e) The commission may automate the processing of periodic

reports required under this section in which no change in

circumstances is reported.

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.