Improving Access to Nutrition Act of 2021
Latest action (10 Mar 2021): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 1753, the Improving Access to Nutrition Act of 2021, would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to eliminate the specific work requirement that can disqualify "able-bodied adults without dependents" (ABAWDs) from receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. It repeals the relevant subsection of the law establishing this time-limited work rule, along with related state funding provisions tied to enforcing it, and makes conforming technical changes to cross-references in the Food and Nutrition Act, the Internal Revenue Code, and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The bill states it would take effect 180 days after enactment, with some provisions applying only prospectively.
The bill primarily affects SNAP recipients subject to the ABAWD work requirement—cited in the bill's findings as about 6.1 million individuals—by removing the risk that they could lose food assistance for failing to meet work-hour rules. It would also affect state agencies that administer SNAP and currently receive additional funding allocations tied to enforcing the work requirement, since that funding mechanism would be repealed.
The bill was introduced on March 10, 2021, by Rep. Barbara Lee with numerous cosponsors, and was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. According to available records, it did not receive a vote and saw no further action before the end of the 117th Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Improving Access to Nutrition Act of 2021
This bill repeals certain work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program).
The requirements apply to able-bodied adults who are ages 18-49 and have no dependent children. Individuals who do not meet certain work requirements are generally prohibited from receiving more than 3 months of SNAP benefits over a 36-month period. Under current law, some of the work requirements under SNAP are temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
Common questions
- What does H.R. 1753 do?
- H.R. 1753, the Improving Access to Nutrition Act of 2021, would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to eliminate the specific work requirement that can disqualify "able-bodied adults without dependents" (ABAWDs) from receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. It repeals the relevant subsection of the law establishing this time-limited work rule, along with related state funding provisions tied to enforcing it, and makes conforming technical changes to cross-references in the Food and Nutrition Act, the Internal Revenue Code, and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The bill states it would take effect 180 days after enactment, with some provisions applying only prospectively. The bill primarily affects SNAP recipients subject to the ABAWD work requirement—cited in the bill's findings as about 6.1 million individuals—by removing the risk that they could lose food assistance for failing to meet work-hour rules. It would also affect state agencies that administer SNAP and currently receive additional funding allocations tied to enforcing the work requirement, since that funding mechanism would be repealed. The bill was introduced on March 10, 2021, by Rep. Barbara Lee with numerous cosponsors, and was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. According to available records, it did not receive a vote and saw no further action before the end of the 117th Congress.
- Has H.R. 1753 become law?
- Not yet. As of 10 Mar 2021, H.R. 1753 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 1753?
- H.R. 1753 was sponsored by Rep. Barbara Lee [D-CA12, 2023-2024] (Democrat-CA), with 77 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 1753?
- Introduced (10 Mar 2021).
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