Food for Families in Crisis Act of 2020

Food for Families in Crisis Act of 2020

This bill revises the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) during an elevated unemployment period in the United States. Additionally, the bill directs the Bureau of Labor Statistics to include in each monthly employment situation report it publishes a specific determination of whether an elevated unemployment period is in existence in the United States.

During an elevated unemployment period, the bill (1) eliminates work requirements under SNAP, (2) increases benefits under SNAP, (3) revises eligibility requirements under SNAP to ensure the use of a broad-based categorical eligibility, and (4) requires the Department of Agriculture to make $150 million (adjusted for inflation) available for the costs of state administrative expenses associated with carrying out this bill and administering SNAP.

The bill waives the non-federal share requirement to carry out activities for the food distribution program on Indian reservations.

The bill also prohibits funding from being used to implement certain rules related to SNAP, including the final rule titled Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents, published on December 5, 2019.