Improving Access to Nutrition Act of 2021
Bill: H.R.1753 | Sponsor: Rep. Lee, Barbara (D-CA)
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
Improving Access to Nutrition Act of 2021
This bill repeals certain work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program).
The requirements apply to able-bodied adults who are ages 18-49 and have no dependent children. Individuals who do not meet certain work requirements are generally prohibited from receiving more than 3 months of SNAP benefits over a 36-month period. Under current law, some of the work requirements under SNAP are temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).

To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to repeal the particular 
 work requirement that disqualifies able-bodied adults for eligibility 
    to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Improving Access to Nutrition Act of 
2021''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) 35 million people, including over 10 million children, 
        suffered from hunger even before the COVID-19 pandemic.
            (2) Analyses show that 50 million people, including 17 
        million children, could go hungry due to the effects of the 
        COVID-19 pandemic.
            (3) As of December 2020, food insecurity among White 
        households with children was 24.2 percent, while 38.6 percent 
        of Latinx and 40.6 percent of African-American households with 
        children suffered from food insecurity.
            (4) Black and Hispanic children were twice as likely to 
        live in households without enough to eat as White children, 
        entering this crisis at disproportionate risk of going hungry.
            (5) Adults who identify as American Indian, Alaska Native, 
        Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, or as multiracial, were 
        twice as likely as White adults to report that their household 
        did not get enough to eat. While official national data for 
        Native American households is lacking, previous research in 
        Washington State showed food insecurity among Native households 
        was 2.5 times higher than in White households.
            (6) The COVID-19 pandemic has deepened longstanding racial 
        disparities and food insecurity.
            (7) SNAP is the Nation's first line of defense against 
        hunger and is especially vital for vulnerable populations. More 
        than 85 percent of all SNAP benefits go to households with 
        children, seniors, and persons with disabilities.
            (8) SNAP helps restore access to healthy food, improves 
        overall health, and reduces poverty. SNAP participation is also 
        associated with educational advancement of children in poverty 
        and improvements in math and reading scores.
            (9) SNAP has a proven record of effectiveness in promoting 
        food security and health as well as in providing economic 
        stimulus. Each $1 in SNAP benefits during a downturn generates 
        between $1.50 and $1.80 in economic activity.
            (10) Studies have also demonstrated that work requirements 
        do not reduce poverty.
            (11) About 6.1 million individuals are subject to SNAP work 
        requirements and are at risk of losing critical food assistance 
        if they cannot comply.
            (12) Some live in households with school-aged children 
        where benefit reductions or terminations could jeopardize 
        children's health, development, and future success.
            (13) Children in poverty also often depend on pooled 
        resources (including SNAP benefits) from extended family 
        members who do not claim them as dependents.
            (14) Studies show that health impediments are a primary 
        cause of why many SNAP recipients are unable to meet a work 
        requirement.
            (15) Work requirements also cause an increase in the 
        administrative bureaucracy, which some studies have shown, 
        cause a significant reduction in SNAP participation.
            (16) Studies show that Black Americans are particularly 
        vulnerable and are most likely to face recent unemployment and 
        work requirements would disproportionately prevent Black people 
        from having access to this important benefit.
            (17) Families experiencing homelessness are most likely to 
        leave programs like SNAP when there is a work requirement, 
        thereby increasing their vulnerability.
            (18) COVID-19 has made people more vulnerable. A work 
        requirement would serve to only further burden those most at 
        risk during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Work Requirement.--Section 6 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 
2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015) is amended--
            (1) in subsections (d)(4)(B)(ii)(I)(bb), 
        (d)(4)(N)(iii)(I)(bb), (d)(4)(N)(iv)(II), and (d)(4)(N)(v)(IV) 
        by striking ``or subsection (o)'', and
            (2) by striking subsection (o).
    (b) Additional Allocations for States That Ensure Availability of 
Work Opportunities.--Section 16(h)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 
2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(h)(1)) is amended by striking subparagraph (E).
    (c) Technical Amendments.--
            (1) Section 7(i)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 
        (7 U.S.C. 2016(i)(1)) is amended by striking ``section 6(o)(2) 
        of this Act or''.
            (2) Section 16(h) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
        U.S.C. 2025(h)) is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (B)--
                                    (I) by striking ``that--'' and all 
                                that follows through ``(I)'', and
                                    (II) by striking ``; and'' and all 
                                that follows through ``6(o)'', and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (F)(ii)(III)(ee)(AA) 
                        by striking ``, individuals subject to the 
                        requirements under section 6(o),'', and
                    (B) in paragraph (5)(C)--
                            (i) in clause (ii) by inserting ``and'' at 
                        the end, and
                            (ii) in clause (iii) by striking ``; and'' 
                        and all that follows through ``appropriate''.

SEC. 4. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Internal Revenue Code.--Section 51(d)(8)(A)(ii) of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 51(d)(8)(A)(ii)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``family--'' and all that follows through 
        ``(I)'' and inserting ``family'', and
            (2) by striking ``, or'' and all that follows through ``of 
        2008''.
    (b) Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.--The Workforce 
Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) in section 103(a)(2) by striking subparagraph (D), and
            (2) in section 121(b)(2)(B) by striking clause (iv).

SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Effective Date.--Except as provided in subsection (b), this Act 
and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act.
    (b) Application of Amendments.--
            (1) The amendments made by section 2 shall not apply with 
        respect to an allotment issued under the Food and Nutrition Act 
        of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) before the effective date of 
        this Act.
            (2) The amendments made by section 3(a) shall not apply to 
        individuals hired before the expiration of the 90-day period 
        that begins on the effective date of this Act.
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