This bill would modify the federal food assistance program, commonly known as SNAP or food stamps, to allow households to deduct student loan payments when calculating their income eligibility and benefit amounts. Currently, the program only allows deductions for certain expenses like childcare and medical costs, but student loan payments are not included. Under this legislation, starting 180 days after enactment, households could subtract their monthly student loan payments from their income when applying for or recertifying SNAP benefits, which could make more people eligible or increase the benefits they receive. The bill covers both federal student loans made under the Higher Education Act and private education loans. This change would primarily affect lower-income households with student debt seeking food assistance, potentially increasing their SNAP benefits or allowing previously ineligible households to qualify for the program.
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