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Bill

HR 8246

OHH SNAP Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Joyce Beatty and 19 co-sponsors

HR 8246 expands SNAP eligibility to low-income students with minimal family resources, addressing campus food insecurity by removing student-status barriers to nutrition assistance.

Introduced in House
2
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 8246

Legislative bill overview

HR 8246 would expand eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to include certain students, particularly those with a student aid index (SAI) of zero or below. Currently, most students are categorized as dependents or have restrictions on SNAP eligibility based on work requirements and enrollment status. This bill would remove or modify those barriers for a specific student population.

Why is this important

Student food insecurity is a documented challenge on college campuses, with many low-income students unable to afford adequate nutrition while pursuing education. Expanding SNAP eligibility could provide critical assistance to students from the poorest households—those with a SAI of zero or below typically come from families with minimal financial resources. This directly affects educational outcomes, as food-insecure students experience higher dropout rates and academic difficulties.

Potential points of contention

  • Program cost and funding: Expanding SNAP eligibility increases federal benefit expenditures; sponsors must address how this expansion is funded or whether it requires budget reallocation from existing programs
  • Definition and verification of "student aid index": The bill's reliance on SAI metrics requires clear implementation guidelines to prevent fraud and ensure consistent application across institutions
  • Work requirement implications: Current SNAP rules include work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents; the bill must clarify how these interact with student status and academic workload expectations

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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