A bill to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to provide that certain students who are family caregivers are eligible to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (2 Aug 2017): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
What this bill does
S. 1708 would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to expand the list of student exemptions for participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Under current law, most college students are ineligible for SNAP unless they meet certain exemptions. This bill would add a new exemption for students who serve as informal, in-home caregivers for a household member who is either age 60 or older and certified by a health professional as needing substantial help with daily activities or supervision due to cognitive impairment, or a household member who is disabled as defined elsewhere in the Act.
The bill would primarily affect college students who provide unpaid care to an elderly or disabled family member living in their household. By classifying such caregiving as qualifying activity, these students would become eligible to receive SNAP benefits even while enrolled in higher education, provided they meet the other program requirements. The change would not alter eligibility rules for non-student SNAP applicants.
The bill was introduced by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand on August 2, 2017, during the 115th Congress, and referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. It did not receive a committee vote or further floor action, and it expired at the end of that Congress without being enacted.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to make certain students who are informal providers of in-home and community care to elderly or disabled members of the household eligible to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program).
Timeline
2 Aug 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Common questions
- What does S. 1708 do?
- S. 1708 would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to expand the list of student exemptions for participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Under current law, most college students are ineligible for SNAP unless they meet certain exemptions. This bill would add a new exemption for students who serve as informal, in-home caregivers for a household member who is either age 60 or older and certified by a health professional as needing substantial help with daily activities or supervision due to cognitive impairment, or a household member who is disabled as defined elsewhere in the Act. The bill would primarily affect college students who provide unpaid care to an elderly or disabled family member living in their household. By classifying such caregiving as qualifying activity, these students would become eligible to receive SNAP benefits even while enrolled in higher education, provided they meet the other program requirements. The change would not alter eligibility rules for non-student SNAP applicants. The bill was introduced by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand on August 2, 2017, during the 115th Congress, and referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. It did not receive a committee vote or further floor action, and it expired at the end of that Congress without being enacted.
- Has S. 1708 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 1708. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 1708?
- S. 1708 was sponsored by Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY] (D-NY), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 1708?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (2 Aug 2017).
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