EATS Act of 2025
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (29 Jul 2025): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
What this bill does
S. 2512, the EATS Act of 2025 (Enhance Access to SNAP Act), would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to change how college and other students are treated under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Current law generally makes students enrolled at least half-time in higher education ineligible for SNAP unless they meet specific exemptions. The bill would eliminate that separate student eligibility restriction, add a provision recognizing students enrolled at least half-time in a school, training program, or institution of higher education as members of a household for SNAP purposes, and remove the existing subsection setting out student-specific conditions. It also makes numerous conforming, technical cross-reference changes throughout the Food and Nutrition Act and related laws (such as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and the Social Security Act) to account for the renumbering of subsections caused by this change.
The bill would primarily affect students enrolled at least half-time in postsecondary or training programs who currently must satisfy special work, income, or program-participation conditions to qualify for SNAP. By removing the added disqualification, more students who otherwise meet standard SNAP income and household eligibility rules could qualify for benefits. State agencies administering SNAP and related programs would need to apply the revised, renumbered provisions.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on July 29, 2025, by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand along with eleven cosponsors, and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. It has not yet been voted on. If enacted, its provisions would take effect January 2, 2026.
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.)
Timeline
29 Jul 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Common questions
- What does S. 2512 do?
- S. 2512, the EATS Act of 2025 (Enhance Access to SNAP Act), would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to change how college and other students are treated under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Current law generally makes students enrolled at least half-time in higher education ineligible for SNAP unless they meet specific exemptions. The bill would eliminate that separate student eligibility restriction, add a provision recognizing students enrolled at least half-time in a school, training program, or institution of higher education as members of a household for SNAP purposes, and remove the existing subsection setting out student-specific conditions. It also makes numerous conforming, technical cross-reference changes throughout the Food and Nutrition Act and related laws (such as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and the Social Security Act) to account for the renumbering of subsections caused by this change. The bill would primarily affect students enrolled at least half-time in postsecondary or training programs who currently must satisfy special work, income, or program-participation conditions to qualify for SNAP. By removing the added disqualification, more students who otherwise meet standard SNAP income and household eligibility rules could qualify for benefits. State agencies administering SNAP and related programs would need to apply the revised, renumbered provisions. The bill was introduced in the Senate on July 29, 2025, by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand along with eleven cosponsors, and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. It has not yet been voted on. If enacted, its provisions would take effect January 2, 2026.
- Has S. 2512 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 2512. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 2512?
- S. 2512 was sponsored by Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY] (D-NY), with 12 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 2512?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (29 Jul 2025).
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