Title: End Pandemic Hunger for College Students Act of 2020
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
End Pandemic Hunger for College Students Act of 2020
This bill expands the eligibility of certain low-income students at institutions of higher education to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Eligibility for SNAP benefits shall not be limited for an individual who as of March 1, 2020, or anytime in the prior 30 days, was enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education and participating in SNAP.
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) may temporarily adjust eligibility standards under SNAP through national guidance or by request of a state for individuals who are enrolled in an institution of higher education in any state affected by the outbreak of COVID-19.
Additionally, USDA must approve a state's request to adjust the eligibility standards under SNAP for such individuals who (1) are members of certain households who are otherwise eligible to participate in SNAP, or (2) had an expected family contribution equal to zero in the most recent academic year.
The temporary eligibility standards shall be in effect (1) for initial applications under SNAP until 90 days after the COVID-19 public health emergency is lifted, and (2) until the first recertification of a household beginning no earlier than 90 days after such public health emergency is lifted.
USDA must provide guidance to states on the temporary student eligibility requirements and state options within 10 days of this bill's enactment.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6756 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 6756

 To modify the eligibility standards applicable to low-income college 
   students under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 during COVID-19 
                        public health emergency.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 8, 2020

   Ms. Fudge (for herself and Mr. Scott of Virginia) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and 
in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be 
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration 
  of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
                               concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To modify the eligibility standards applicable to low-income college 
   students under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 during COVID-19 
                        public health emergency.

    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 ``End Pandemic Hunger for College 
Students Act of 2020''.

SEC. 2. SNAP ELIGIBILITY FOR LOW-INCOME COLLEGE STUDENTS.

    (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not 
later than 20 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits 
shall not be limited under section 6(e) of the Food and Nutrition Act 
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015(e)) for an individual who as of March 1, 2020, 
or anytime in the prior 30 days was--
            (1) enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher 
        education; and
            (2) participating in the supplemental nutrition assistance 
        program.
    (b) State Option.--
            (1) Authority to adjust additional eligibility standards.--
        In addition to the application of subsection (a) and if 
        requested by a State agency or issued by nationwide guidance by 
        the Secretary, the Secretary may adjust the eligibility 
        standards under section 6(e) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 
        2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015(e)) for individuals who are enrolled in an 
        institution of higher education in any State affected by the 
        outbreak of COVID-19. In making an adjustment authorized by 
        this paragraph, the Secretary shall consider closures of 
        facilities at institutions of higher education and any other 
        factor that affects the ability of such individuals to meet 
        such standards.
            (2) Readily approvable adjustment requests.--The Secretary 
        shall approve a request of a State agency to adjust the 
        eligibility standards under section 6(e) of the Food and 
        Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015(e)) for individuals who 
        are enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher 
        education and--
                    (A) are members of households, as described in 
                section 3(m)(2) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2012(m)(2)), who 
                are otherwise eligible to participate in the 
                supplemental nutrition assistance program; or
                    (B) in the most recent academic year, had an 
                expected family contribution of $0 as determined in 
                accordance with part F of title IV of the Higher 
                Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087kk et seq.).
    (c) Sunset.--
            (1) Initial applications.--The eligibility standards 
        authorized under subsections (a) and (b) shall be in effect for 
        initial applications for the supplemental nutrition assistance 
        program until 90 days after the COVID-19 public health 
        emergency is lifted.
            (2) Recertifications.--The eligibility standards authorized 
        under subsections (a) and (b) shall be in effect until the 
        first recertification of a household beginning no earlier than 
        90 days after the COVID-19 public health emergency is lifted.
    (d) Guidance.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 10 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue guidance to 
        State agencies on the temporary student eligibility 
        requirements, and State options, established under this 
        section.
            (2) Coordination with the department of education.--The 
        Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Secretary of 
        Agriculture and institutions of higher education, shall carry 
        out activities to inform applicants for Federal student 
        financial aid under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        1001 et seq.) and students at institutions of higher education 
        of the temporary student eligibility requirements established 
        under this section.
    (e) Public Availability.--Not later than 10 days after the date of 
the receipt or issuance of each document listed in paragraphs (1), (2), 
or (3) of this subsection, the Secretary shall make publicly available 
on the website of the Department of Agriculture the following 
documents:
            (1) Any request submitted by State agencies under 
        subsection (b).
            (2) The Secretary's approval or denial of each such 
        request.
            (3) Any guidance issued by the Secretary to carry out this 
        section.
    (f) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) COVID-19.--The term ``COVID-19'' has the meaning given 
        such term in section 2102 of the CARES Act (Public Law 116-
        136).
            (2) COVID-19 public health emergency.--The term ``COVID-19 
        public health emergency'' has the meaning given such term in 
        section 2102 of the CARES Act (Public Law 116-136).
            (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Agriculture.
            (4) State agency.--The term ``State agency'' has the 
        meaning given such term in section 3(s) of the Food and 
        Nutrition Act (7 U.S.C. 2012(s)).
            (5) Supplemental nutrition assistance program.--The term 
        ``supplemental nutrition assistance program'' has the meaning 
        given such term in section 3(t) of the Food and Nutrition Act 
        of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012(t)).
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