Enhance Access To SNAP Act of 2019
Latest action (12 Sep 2019): Introduced
What this bill does
The Enhance Access To SNAP Act of 2019 (H.R. 4297) would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, which governs the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps). Specifically, it would change existing rules so that time spent attending an institution of higher education, as defined under the Higher Education Act of 1965, counts the same as employment when determining whether someone meets SNAP's work-related eligibility and time-limit requirements.
This change would primarily affect college and university students who currently must meet certain work-hour requirements to qualify for or continue receiving SNAP benefits. By allowing school attendance to count toward those requirements, the bill could make it easier for students enrolled in higher education to establish or maintain SNAP eligibility without needing to separately meet work-hour thresholds.
The bill was introduced on September 12, 2019, by Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) with numerous Democratic cosponsors, and was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. It has not received a vote or further action since introduction. The bill specified that, if enacted, it would take effect on January 2, 2020, but as of the latest available status, it remains at the introduction stage with no committee or floor action recorded.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Enhance Access To SNAP Act of 2019 or the EATS Act of 2019
This bill expands eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to students attending institutions of higher education.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 4297 do?
- The Enhance Access To SNAP Act of 2019 (H.R. 4297) would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, which governs the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps). Specifically, it would change existing rules so that time spent attending an institution of higher education, as defined under the Higher Education Act of 1965, counts the same as employment when determining whether someone meets SNAP's work-related eligibility and time-limit requirements. This change would primarily affect college and university students who currently must meet certain work-hour requirements to qualify for or continue receiving SNAP benefits. By allowing school attendance to count toward those requirements, the bill could make it easier for students enrolled in higher education to establish or maintain SNAP eligibility without needing to separately meet work-hour thresholds. The bill was introduced on September 12, 2019, by Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) with numerous Democratic cosponsors, and was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. It has not received a vote or further action since introduction. The bill specified that, if enacted, it would take effect on January 2, 2020, but as of the latest available status, it remains at the introduction stage with no committee or floor action recorded.
- Has H.R. 4297 become law?
- Not yet. As of 12 Sep 2019, H.R. 4297 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 4297?
- H.R. 4297 was sponsored by Rep. Jimmy Gomez [D-CA34] (Democrat-CA), with 59 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 4297?
- Introduced (12 Sep 2019).
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