EATS Act of 2025
Latest action (29 Jul 2025): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 4797, the EATS Act of 2025, would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to change eligibility rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as they apply to college and other students. The bill adds students enrolled at least half-time in a recognized school, training program, or institution of higher education to the categories of people considered eligible household members for SNAP purposes. It also strikes existing provisions in the law that make students ineligible for SNAP unless they meet specific additional requirements, effectively removing the special disqualification rules that currently apply to many students.
The bill primarily affects students enrolled at least half-time in postsecondary or training programs who currently must meet extra conditions—such as work requirements or other exemptions—to qualify for SNAP. By eliminating those extra eligibility restrictions, the bill would make it easier for otherwise-eligible students to receive SNAP benefits based on the same general criteria applied to other applicants.
The bill was introduced on July 29, 2025, by Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) with numerous cosponsors, and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. If enacted, it would take effect on January 2, 2026. As of the latest available information, no further committee or floor action has occurred.
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 2025 or the EATS Act of 2025
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 from participating in SNAP, with exceptions (e.g., caring for a child under the age of 6 or employed for at least 20 hours a week). The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 temporarily exempted some students from certain SNAP eligibility requirements; these temporary student exemptions expired 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 H.R. 4797 do?
- H.R. 4797, the EATS Act of 2025, would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to change eligibility rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as they apply to college and other students. The bill adds students enrolled at least half-time in a recognized school, training program, or institution of higher education to the categories of people considered eligible household members for SNAP purposes. It also strikes existing provisions in the law that make students ineligible for SNAP unless they meet specific additional requirements, effectively removing the special disqualification rules that currently apply to many students. The bill primarily affects students enrolled at least half-time in postsecondary or training programs who currently must meet extra conditions—such as work requirements or other exemptions—to qualify for SNAP. By eliminating those extra eligibility restrictions, the bill would make it easier for otherwise-eligible students to receive SNAP benefits based on the same general criteria applied to other applicants. The bill was introduced on July 29, 2025, by Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) with numerous cosponsors, and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. If enacted, it would take effect on January 2, 2026. As of the latest available information, no further committee or floor action has occurred.
- Has H.R. 4797 become law?
- Not yet. As of 29 Jul 2025, H.R. 4797 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 4797?
- H.R. 4797 was sponsored by Rep. Jimmy Gomez [D-CA34] (Democrat-CA), with 141 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 4797?
- Introduced (29 Jul 2025).
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