EATS Act of 2023
Latest action (9 May 2023): Introduced
What this bill does
S. 1488, the EATS Act of 2023 (Enhance Access To SNAP Act), would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to remove a special eligibility restriction that currently applies to college students seeking to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Under current law, students enrolled at least half-time in higher education generally must meet additional conditions beyond those applied to other applicants in order to qualify for SNAP. The bill would eliminate that separate student eligibility test, so that students enrolled at least half-time in a recognized school, training program, or institution of higher education would be treated the same as other applicants for purposes of determining SNAP eligibility. The bill also makes numerous technical, conforming changes to renumber sections of the Food and Nutrition Act and update cross-references in related federal laws, including the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and the Social Security Act, to reflect the removal of the student-specific provision.
The bill would primarily affect college and vocational students who are otherwise eligible for SNAP based on income and other standard requirements but who currently face additional student-specific hurdles to qualify. Removing these extra conditions could make it easier for such students to access food assistance benefits.
The bill was introduced on May 9, 2023, by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand along with several cosponsors, and was referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. It has not received a vote and remains at the introduction stage. If enacted, its provisions were set to take effect on January 2, 2024, though that date has passed without further legislative 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 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.)
Common questions
- What does S. 1488 do?
- S. 1488, the EATS Act of 2023 (Enhance Access To SNAP Act), would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to remove a special eligibility restriction that currently applies to college students seeking to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Under current law, students enrolled at least half-time in higher education generally must meet additional conditions beyond those applied to other applicants in order to qualify for SNAP. The bill would eliminate that separate student eligibility test, so that students enrolled at least half-time in a recognized school, training program, or institution of higher education would be treated the same as other applicants for purposes of determining SNAP eligibility. The bill also makes numerous technical, conforming changes to renumber sections of the Food and Nutrition Act and update cross-references in related federal laws, including the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and the Social Security Act, to reflect the removal of the student-specific provision. The bill would primarily affect college and vocational students who are otherwise eligible for SNAP based on income and other standard requirements but who currently face additional student-specific hurdles to qualify. Removing these extra conditions could make it easier for such students to access food assistance benefits. The bill was introduced on May 9, 2023, by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand along with several cosponsors, and was referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. It has not received a vote and remains at the introduction stage. If enacted, its provisions were set to take effect on January 2, 2024, though that date has passed without further legislative action recorded.
- Has S. 1488 become law?
- Not yet. As of 9 May 2023, S. 1488 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 1488?
- S. 1488 was sponsored by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand [D-NY] (Democrat-NY), with 14 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 1488?
- Introduced (9 May 2023).
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