EATS Act of 2023
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (1 Jun 2023): Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture.
What this bill does
The EATS Act of 2023 (H.R. 3183) would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to change how college students are treated under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Currently, students enrolled at least half-time in higher education generally face additional eligibility restrictions beyond those applied to other SNAP applicants. The bill would remove the specific statutory provision (subsection (e) of section 6) that imposes these extra requirements on students, and would add students enrolled at least half time in a recognized school, training program, or institution of higher education to the list of individuals covered under existing SNAP household/eligibility definitions. In effect, this would eliminate the separate, more restrictive eligibility test that currently applies specifically to college students seeking SNAP benefits.
The bill primarily affects students enrolled at least half-time in higher education or training programs who might otherwise qualify for SNAP based on income and other standard criteria but are currently barred or restricted due to their student status. It could also affect SNAP administration, since agencies would no longer need to apply the separate student eligibility test.
The bill was introduced on May 10, 2023, by Rep. Jimmy Gomez with many cosponsors, and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. It has not received a vote and, per the official record, remains at the introduction stage with no further action taken.
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 2023 or the EATS Act of 2023
This bill expands eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for certain students.
Specifically, the bill removes the restriction on SNAP eligibility for students to allow otherwise eligible students who are attending institutions of higher education (IHEs) at least half time to participate in SNAP. Under current law, students 18-49 years old are restricted, with exceptions, from participating in SNAP. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 temporarily exempted some students from certain SNAP eligibility requirements; these temporary student exemptions are currently scheduled to expire after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency on May 11, 2023.
Further, the bill provides that students enrolled at least half time in a recognized school, training program, or IHE constitute individual households (not residents of institutions) and may be eligible for SNAP benefits. (Participation in SNAP is limited to households.)
Timeline
1 Jun 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 3183 do?
- The EATS Act of 2023 (H.R. 3183) would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to change how college students are treated under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Currently, students enrolled at least half-time in higher education generally face additional eligibility restrictions beyond those applied to other SNAP applicants. The bill would remove the specific statutory provision (subsection (e) of section 6) that imposes these extra requirements on students, and would add students enrolled at least half time in a recognized school, training program, or institution of higher education to the list of individuals covered under existing SNAP household/eligibility definitions. In effect, this would eliminate the separate, more restrictive eligibility test that currently applies specifically to college students seeking SNAP benefits. The bill primarily affects students enrolled at least half-time in higher education or training programs who might otherwise qualify for SNAP based on income and other standard criteria but are currently barred or restricted due to their student status. It could also affect SNAP administration, since agencies would no longer need to apply the separate student eligibility test. The bill was introduced on May 10, 2023, by Rep. Jimmy Gomez with many cosponsors, and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. It has not received a vote and, per the official record, remains at the introduction stage with no further action taken.
- Has H.R. 3183 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 3183. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 3183?
- H.R. 3183 was sponsored by Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34] (D-CA), with 178 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 3183?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture. (1 Jun 2023).
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More bills from Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34]
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EATS Act of 2025
ASSET Act
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