TITLE: Relating to providing eligible supplemental nutrition assistance program recipients with an additional benefit to pay certain food delivery service fees.

SUMMARY: Relating to providing eligible supplemental nutrition assistance program recipients with an additional benefit to pay certain food delivery service fees.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to providing eligible supplemental nutrition assistance program recipients with an additional benefit to pay certain food delivery service fees. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, is amended by adding Section 33.033 to read as follows: Sec. 33.033. INITIATIVE TO PROVIDE FOOD DELIVERY BENEFIT TO ELIGIBLE SNAP RECIPIENTS. (a) In this section, "eligible recipient" means a recipient of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits who: (1) is 65 years of age or older; or (2) has a disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Section 12101 et seq.). (b) From money appropriated for that purpose, the commission shall develop and implement an initiative under which an eligible recipient is provided an additional benefit that the recipient may use to pay the delivery service fees incurred in connection with the purchase of eligible food items under the supplemental nutrition assistance program. In implementing the initiative, the commission shall ensure that: (1) the additional benefit is sufficient to pay any reasonable delivery service fee assessed in connection with a purchase of eligible food items; (2) if possible, the additional benefit is provided through the electronic benefit transfer card; and (3) an eligible recipient is able to use the additional benefit to obtain eligible food items in a timely and efficient manner. (c) The executive commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to implement this section, including rules that restrict a recipient from using an additional benefit provided under this section to receive delivery of a purchase that includes items that are not eligible for purchase using supplemental nutrition assistance benefits. SECTION 2. If before implementing any provision of this Act a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the waiver or authorization is granted. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.