BILL: Expand the Accessibility of Federal Food Assistance? - EATS Act of 2023 - H.R.3183

The Bill:

H.R.3183 - EATS Act of 2023

Bill Status

• Sponsored by Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.) on May 10, 2023
• Sen. Kristen Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) is introducing companion legislation in the Senate.
• Committees: Senate - Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
• House and Senate: Not yet voted
• President: Not yet signed

Bill Overview

• This bill will permanently expand Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility to millions of college students experiencing hunger. It seeks to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 by removing certain eligibility disqualifications restricting otherwise eligible students enrolled in higher education from participating in SNAP.
• Under the COVID-19 public health emergency, temporary exemptions were in place to aid students, but those provisions expire on June 11, 30 days after the expiration of the emergency measures.
• The bill would take effect on Jan. 2, 2024.

What's in the Bill?

Addresses food insecurity among student populations

• Research from the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice found that food insecurity impacts 39% of students at two-year institutions and 29% of students at four-year institutions.
• Students of color are disproportionately impacted: 75% of Indigenous, 70% of Black, and 70% of American Indian or Alaska Native students experienced food and housing insecurity.

Permanently removes barriers and expand access to SNAP

• Removes the burdensome "work for food" rules for students needing additional food assistance.

Eliminates barriers to accessing SNAP related to students' place of residence

• Currently, the Food and Nutrition Act contains provisions that can disqualify students who live on campus from accessing SNAP simply because they reside at an institution of study. 

What Sponsors are Saying

• Rep. Gomez said:

"For so many, higher education is unattainable not just because of sky-rocketing tuition costs but also because of the lack of food security. I'm introducing the EATS Act to break down barriers to higher education and ensure no student goes to bed hungry. Our legislation is a necessary step to provide an equitable, healthy learning environment for all of our country's bright young minds."

• Rep. Alma Adams (D-N.C.), a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, said:

"As a college professor for four decades, I've seen what happens when students go hungry. Food security programs shouldn't punish students for pursuing the education they need to be successful in the workforce, and in life. Passing the EATS Act means low-income students will no longer choose between their meals and their education."

• Sen. Gillibrand said:

"The EATS Act would eliminate work-for-food barriers for low-income students and ensure that as many as 4 million college students nationwide can access the SNAP benefits needed to learn and thrive. College students should never have to choose between food and their education - the time to act is now."

What Opponents are Saying

• During the debt ceiling negotiations, House Speaker. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Republican lawmakers gained concessions for stricter work requirements for federal aid and SNAP benefits.
• While the concessions do not specifically target college-aged SNAP participants, the deal expands the age bracket of people who must meet work requirements to be eligible for federal food assistance. 
• The new requirements could impact 750,000 Americans who currently receive SNAP benefits.

Should we expand the accessibility of federal food assistance? Tell your reps to support or oppose this bill.

—Emma Kansiz 

(Photo Credit: Canva)