Foster and Homeless Youth Food Security Act of 2017

To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to provide certain alternative eligibility requirements applicable to foster care youth, and homeless youth, who are enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Foster and Homeless Youth Food Security Act of 2017 2. Amendments (a) Definition Section 3 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2017 (j–1) foster care individual (1) means an individual whose care and placement are the responsibility of the State or Tribal agency that administers a State or Tribal plan under part B or E of title IV of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 621 42 U.S.C. 672 (2) includes an individual who was age 13 or older when the individual’s care and placement were the responsibility of a State or Tribal agency that administered a State or Tribal plan under part B or E of title IV of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 621 . (b) Availability of prepared meals Section 3(k) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2015(k) (1) by striking and (9) (9), and (10) (2) by striking and (9) (9) (3) by inserting before the period at the end the following: and, (10) meals prepared and served by an institution of higher education for consumption by a foster care individual, or a homeless individual, over 17 and not over 26 years of age enrolled at least half-time in such institution (as determined by such institution) that provides such individual with housing that lacks an individualized cooking facility . (c) Treatment As Separate Household Section 3(m)(5) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2015(m)(5) (F) Foster care individuals, or homeless individuals, over 17 and not over 26 years of age enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education (as determined by such institution) that provides such individuals with housing that lacks individualized cooking facilities. . (d) Limitation on eligibility exclusion Section 6(e) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2015(e) (1) in paragraph (7) by striking or (2) by redesignating paragraph (8) as paragraph (9); and (3) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following: (8) is a foster care individual, or a homeless individual, over 17 and not over 26 years of age who is so enrolled as determined by such institution; or . (e) Work Requirement Section 6(o)(3) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2015(o)(3) (1) in subparagraph (D) by striking or (2) in subparagraph (E) by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or (3) by adding at the end the following: (F) A foster care individual, or a homeless individual, over 17 and not over 26 years of age if enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education as determined by such institution. .

Summary: Foster and Homeless Youth Food Security Act of 2017 This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to modify certain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) eligibility requirements for foster care and homeless youth who are enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education. The bill applies to foster care individuals or homeless individuals who are over 17 and not over 26 years of age, and enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education. The bill exempts the individuals from: (1) certain eligibility disqualification rules that apply to students enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education, and (2) SNAP work requirements. If the individual is enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education that provides the individual with housing that lacks an individualized cooking facility, the bill also: (1) modifies the definition of "food" to permit SNAP benefits to be used for certain meals prepared and served by the institution, and (2) permits the individual to be treated as a separate household for the purpose of SNAP benefits.