SNAP Act of 2021
Latest action (17 Aug 2021): Introduced
What this bill does
The SNAP Act of 2021 (H.R. 5048) would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to change how states may document that a person applying for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits has agreed to their application when the signature process occurs by telephone. Specifically, it would allow states to record verbal assent either as an audio recording or in writing, rather than requiring only one particular method, when confirming that an applicant has "signed" an application through recorded verbal assent over the phone.
The bill primarily affects state agencies that administer SNAP and individuals applying for SNAP benefits by phone. By giving states more flexibility in how they document telephone-based verbal consent, the bill is intended to simplify administrative recordkeeping for SNAP applications. If enacted, the change would take effect January 1, 2023, and would apply to applications submitted after that date.
The bill was introduced on August 17, 2021, by Rep. Ann Kuster (D-NH) with several cosponsors, and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. According to available records, it did not receive a vote and did not advance further in the 117th Congress. As with any bill that does not pass before a Congress ends, it would need to be reintroduced in a subsequent Congress to be considered again.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Streamlining Nutrition Assistance Paperwork Act of 2021 or the SNAP Act of 2021
This bill provides statutory authority for a Department of Agriculture (USDA) waiver that allows states to use a written record to document telephonic signatures for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applications.
Under current law, states may allow individuals to sign their SNAP applications over the telephone, but states must preserve audio recordings of those telephonic signatures. During the COVID-19 emergency, USDA waived the requirement to preserve the audio recording and allowed states to document the telephonic signatures through written records.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 5048 do?
- The SNAP Act of 2021 (H.R. 5048) would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to change how states may document that a person applying for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits has agreed to their application when the signature process occurs by telephone. Specifically, it would allow states to record verbal assent either as an audio recording or in writing, rather than requiring only one particular method, when confirming that an applicant has "signed" an application through recorded verbal assent over the phone. The bill primarily affects state agencies that administer SNAP and individuals applying for SNAP benefits by phone. By giving states more flexibility in how they document telephone-based verbal consent, the bill is intended to simplify administrative recordkeeping for SNAP applications. If enacted, the change would take effect January 1, 2023, and would apply to applications submitted after that date. The bill was introduced on August 17, 2021, by Rep. Ann Kuster (D-NH) with several cosponsors, and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. According to available records, it did not receive a vote and did not advance further in the 117th Congress. As with any bill that does not pass before a Congress ends, it would need to be reintroduced in a subsequent Congress to be considered again.
- Has H.R. 5048 become law?
- Not yet. As of 17 Aug 2021, H.R. 5048 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 5048?
- H.R. 5048 was sponsored by Rep. Ann Kuster [D-NH2, 2013-2024] (Democrat-NH), with 36 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 5048?
- Introduced (17 Aug 2021).
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