HR 793119th CongressIn Committee

SNAP Benefits Fairness Act of 2025

Introduced: Jan 28, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10] (D-New Jersey)

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The SNAP Benefits Fairness Act of 2025 would remove the existing cap on the shelter expense deduction used to determine SNAP benefits. By repealing the maximum limit on shelter deductions, households with high housing costs (rent, mortgage, utilities, etc.) could have larger shelter-related deductions applied when calculating their SNAP benefits. The bill revises the structure of the relevant provision in the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, and would take effect on January 1 of the first year after enactment.

Key Points

1Repeals the maximum deduction cap for shelter expenses used in determining SNAP benefits.
2The amendment removes subparagraph (B) of Section 5(e)(6) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 and renumbers subsequent subparagraphs accordingly.
3Effective date: January 1 of the first calendar year after enactment.
4Rationale implied by the title: aims to increase fairness by ensuring shelter costs are fully considered in benefit calculations rather than limited by a cap.
5Potential cost implications: removing the cap could increase SNAP benefit amounts for some households and raise overall program costs; may affect how eligibility and benefits are calculated.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Low-income households participating in SNAP with high shelter costs (renters and homeowners with substantial housing expenses).Secondary group/area affected: SNAP program administration at the federal and state levels; potential need for states to adjust systems and outreach to reflect the new deduction rules.Additional impacts: Could affect eligibility thresholds for some households near cutoffs, alter benefit distributions, and influence overall SNAP spending in areas with high housing costs.

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