End Pandemic Hunger for College Students Act of 2020
This bill expands the eligibility of certain low-income students at institutions of higher education to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Eligibility for SNAP benefits shall not be limited for an individual who as of March 1, 2020, or anytime in the prior 30 days, was enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education and participating in SNAP.
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) may temporarily adjust eligibility standards under SNAP through national guidance or by request of a state for individuals who are enrolled in an institution of higher education in any state affected by the outbreak of COVID-19.
Additionally, USDA must approve a state's request to adjust the eligibility standards under SNAP for such individuals who (1) are members of certain households who are otherwise eligible to participate in SNAP, or (2) had an expected family contribution equal to zero in the most recent academic year.
The temporary eligibility standards shall be in effect (1) for initial applications under SNAP until 90 days after the COVID-19 public health emergency is lifted, and (2) until the first recertification of a household beginning no earlier than 90 days after such public health emergency is lifted.
USDA must provide guidance to states on the temporary student eligibility requirements and state options within 10 days of this bill's enactment.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6756 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6756
To modify the eligibility standards applicable to low-income college
students under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 during COVID-19
public health emergency.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 8, 2020
Ms. Fudge (for herself and Mr. Scott of Virginia) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and
in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration
of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To modify the eligibility standards applicable to low-income college
students under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 during COVID-19
public health emergency.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``End Pandemic Hunger for College
Students Act of 2020''.
SEC. 2. SNAP ELIGIBILITY FOR LOW-INCOME COLLEGE STUDENTS.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not
later than 20 days after the date of the enactment of this Act,
eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits
shall not be limited under section 6(e) of the Food and Nutrition Act
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015(e)) for an individual who as of March 1, 2020,
or anytime in the prior 30 days was--
(1) enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher
education; and
(2) participating in the supplemental nutrition assistance
program.
(b) State Option.--
(1) Authority to adjust additional eligibility standards.--
In addition to the application of subsection (a) and if
requested by a State agency or issued by nationwide guidance by
the Secretary, the Secretary may adjust the eligibility
standards under section 6(e) of the Food and Nutrition Act of
2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015(e)) for individuals who are enrolled in an
institution of higher education in any State affected by the
outbreak of COVID-19. In making an adjustment authorized by
this paragraph, the Secretary shall consider closures of
facilities at institutions of higher education and any other
factor that affects the ability of such individuals to meet
such standards.
(2) Readily approvable adjustment requests.--The Secretary
shall approve a request of a State agency to adjust the
eligibility standards under section 6(e) of the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015(e)) for individuals who
are enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher
education and--
(A) are members of households, as described in
section 3(m)(2) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2012(m)(2)), who
are otherwise eligible to participate in the
supplemental nutrition assistance program; or
(B) in the most recent academic year, had an
expected family contribution of $0 as determined in
accordance with part F of title IV of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087kk et seq.).
(c) Sunset.--
(1) Initial applications.--The eligibility standards
authorized under subsections (a) and (b) shall be in effect for
initial applications for the supplemental nutrition assistance
program until 90 days after the COVID-19 public health
emergency is lifted.
(2) Recertifications.--The eligibility standards authorized
under subsections (a) and (b) shall be in effect until the
first recertification of a household beginning no earlier than
90 days after the COVID-19 public health emergency is lifted.
(d) Guidance.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 10 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue guidance to
State agencies on the temporary student eligibility
requirements, and State options, established under this
section.
(2) Coordination with the department of education.--The
Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Secretary of
Agriculture and institutions of higher education, shall carry
out activities to inform applicants for Federal student
financial aid under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001 et seq.) and students at institutions of higher education
of the temporary student eligibility requirements established
under this section.
(e) Public Availability.--Not later than 10 days after the date of
the receipt or issuance of each document listed in paragraphs (1), (2),
or (3) of this subsection, the Secretary shall make publicly available
on the website of the Department of Agriculture the following
documents:
(1) Any request submitted by State agencies under
subsection (b).
(2) The Secretary's approval or denial of each such
request.
(3) Any guidance issued by the Secretary to carry out this
section.
(f) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) COVID-19.--The term ``COVID-19'' has the meaning given
such term in section 2102 of the CARES Act (Public Law 116-
136).
(2) COVID-19 public health emergency.--The term ``COVID-19
public health emergency'' has the meaning given such term in
section 2102 of the CARES Act (Public Law 116-136).
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Agriculture.
(4) State agency.--The term ``State agency'' has the
meaning given such term in section 3(s) of the Food and
Nutrition Act (7 U.S.C. 2012(s)).
(5) Supplemental nutrition assistance program.--The term
``supplemental nutrition assistance program'' has the meaning
given such term in section 3(t) of the Food and Nutrition Act
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012(t)).
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.
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