New RESTORE Act Ends Federal Ban on TANF and SNAP Benefits for Those with Past Drug Convictions

The newly introduced Re-Entry Support Through Opportunities for Resources and Essentials Act of 2025, or the RESTORE Act, is looking to tear down some major hurdles for people trying to get back on their feet after a drug conviction. Put simply, this bill targets and removes specific federal restrictions that currently block individuals with past drug offenses from accessing crucial social safety net programs.

Clearing the Path to Basic Needs

For decades, federal law has allowed states to deny Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) benefits to people with drug felony convictions. This bill essentially tells states they can’t do that anymore. Specifically, Section 2 guts the part of the 1996 welfare reform law that imposed these blanket bans on TANF eligibility for drug-related convictions. This means the federal funding tap for TANF can no longer be conditioned on states denying aid to this population.

Think about the real-world impact here: If you’re a single parent who served time for a drug offense and you’re trying to stabilize your life, the inability to access basic cash assistance (TANF) or food aid (SNAP) makes finding work and housing exponentially harder. This bill directly addresses that, making it easier for formerly incarcerated individuals to access the resources needed to survive and re-enter the workforce successfully.

The SNAP Shake-Up: State Laws Voided

The RESTORE Act also takes a direct shot at state-level policies regarding food assistance. Section 2 explicitly states that any existing state law, rule, or policy that currently blocks someone from getting SNAP benefits solely because of a conviction related to a controlled substance is now void and unenforceable. This is a massive move toward national consistency. It means that whether you live in a state that was tough on this issue or one that was more lenient, having a past drug conviction can no longer be the sole reason you are denied access to food assistance.

Furthermore, the bill makes a practical change to how SNAP benefits are calculated for those nearing release. It updates the definition of a household under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to include incarcerated individuals who are scheduled to be released from jail or prison within the next 30 days. This allows families to start the application process and count the soon-to-be-released person in their household size right before they walk out the door. This simple 30-day window is huge; it means a family can have food benefits ready immediately upon the individual's release, eliminating a critical period of vulnerability.

The Bottom Line for Re-Entry

This legislation is a clear effort to boost successful re-entry by removing some of the biggest financial barriers facing formerly incarcerated people. If passed, it ensures that a past mistake doesn't permanently bar someone from accessing the most basic safety nets—food and temporary cash assistance. While this expanded eligibility might mean a slight increase in administrative work for state agencies managing SNAP and TANF, the payoff is potentially lower recidivism rates and more stable communities. It’s a straight-shooting policy change that recognizes that if you want people to succeed after release, you have to give them the tools to do so.