Bill Targets Poverty Metrics and SNAP Rules: Expect More Data Collection, Stricter Work Requirements, and Higher State Costs

This bill proposes a two-pronged approach: significantly changing how the government measures poverty and implementing major reforms to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps. It mandates extensive new data collection on income and benefits while tightening SNAP eligibility, increasing work requirements, shifting more administrative costs to states, and adding new rules for EBT card use and retailer participation.

Recalibrating the Poverty Compass: More Data, New Math

The first part of the bill focuses on getting a different picture of poverty. Starting in FY2025, the Census Bureau is tasked under Section 101 with collecting much more detailed financial information from households. This includes tracking participation in various federal benefit programs (like SNAP, Medicaid, housing aid) and their cash value, alongside market income, other entitlements, and taxes paid. The goal is to calculate income for a 'resource unit' – essentially everyone living together – considering all these factors. A temporary commission (Section 102) will also recommend methods for valuing non-cash benefits. While the bill explicitly states this new data shouldn't be used by the Office of Management and Budget to redefine the official poverty line (Section 101(g)), the Census Bureau will publish annual reports comparing poverty rates using this new, more comprehensive income measure against the traditional ones (Section 101(f), Section 103). This could significantly alter public understanding and policy debates around poverty, even if the official threshold remains unchanged for now.

SNAP Gets Tougher: Stricter Work Rules & Tighter Eligibility

The second part makes substantial changes to SNAP. Section 201 explicitly frames SNAP's goals around promoting employment and self-sufficiency, raising the maximum age for general work requirements from 60 to 65, and adding requirements like supervised job searches. Exemptions from these rules are also tightened, potentially impacting older adults or those in areas with fewer job prospects defined by stricter criteria. Critically, Section 201 also redefines 'food' under SNAP to only 'essential items,' giving the Secretary of Agriculture broad discretion to determine what qualifies in the future. Furthermore, Section 204 adds a new hurdle for eligibility: households must already be receiving another qualifying means-tested benefit (valued at $50+ per month) for at least six consecutive months. This could potentially exclude households whose primary need is food assistance or whose other benefits don't meet the duration or value threshold.

Sharing the Load & Cracking Down: State Costs, EBT Limits, and Fraud Focus

States face new financial obligations under Section 203, which mandates they begin paying a share of SNAP administrative costs, starting at 10% in FY2025 and rising incrementally to 50% by FY2033. This cost-shift could pressure state budgets. The bill also targets program integrity and access. Section 206 limits the number of authorized users on an EBT card to five per household (including any representative) and introduces penalties, including benefit suspension, for use by unregistered individuals. This might complicate things for large families or those relying on informal help for shopping. Retailer oversight increases, with Section 207 requiring annual reauthorization for stores deemed medium or high-risk for fraud. Section 209 empowers state agencies to permanently disqualify stores caught trafficking benefits or selling illicit items, though exceptions exist for hardship or if the store had strong preventative policies. States can also keep a larger share (50% vs. 35%) of recovered fraud funds, provided the extra amount is reinvested into fraud investigations (Section 210).

The Bottom Line: What It Means on the Ground

This legislation represents a significant potential shift in both how poverty is measured and how SNAP operates. The enhanced data collection aims for a more comprehensive view of household resources, while the SNAP changes emphasize work requirements, tighten eligibility, increase state financial responsibility, and bolster anti-fraud measures. For individuals, this could mean navigating stricter work rules, potentially facing new eligibility barriers, and adhering to tighter rules around EBT card use. For states, it means shouldering a growing portion of administrative costs. For retailers, it means increased scrutiny and stricter consequences for violations. The long-term effects hinge on how 'essential items' are defined, how states manage increased costs, and how the new poverty data influences future policy decisions.