S. 1628: Improving Access to Nutrition Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Improving Access to Nutrition Act of 2025, aims to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 by eliminating the work requirement that currently disqualifies certain able-bodied adults from receiving benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Here are the key points of the bill:

Key Objectives

• Eliminate Work Requirement: The bill seeks to repeal the specific work requirement that can prevent able-bodied adults from receiving SNAP benefits. This requirement often results in individuals losing critical food assistance if they are unable to meet the conditions related to work.
• Focus on Hunger and Food Insecurity: The bill highlights the significant issue of hunger in the United States, particularly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. It emphasizes that millions of people, including children and vulnerable populations, are experiencing food insecurity.
• Address Disparities: The findings in the bill indicate that racial and ethnic minorities, including Black, Hispanic, and Native American communities, face higher rates of food insecurity and systemic barriers to access SNAP benefits.
• Support Vulnerable Families: The elimination of work requirements is asserted to be crucial for families with children, who may be jeopardized by reductions or termination of benefits due to these requirements.

Impact on SNAP

• The bill argues that the SNAP program serves as a critical safety net against hunger, particularly for low-income households, which often include children, seniors, and persons with disabilities.
• According to the bill, more than 85% of SNAP benefits go to households with children, seniors, and disabled individuals.
• The proposed changes aim to improve access to this program by removing barriers that have been shown not to alleviate poverty, such as unnecessary work requirements.

Implementation and Effective Date

• If enacted, the amendments made by this bill would take effect 180 days after the bill becomes law.
• The bill implies that the removal of the work requirement would lead to administrative simplifications, reducing bureaucratic hurdles for participation in SNAP.

Findings Supporting the Bill

• Studies mentioned in the bill suggest that imposing work requirements does not effectively reduce poverty levels.
• Research indicates that many individuals who struggle to meet work requirements may do so due to health issues, further highlighting the need for this bill.
• The cost of food insecurity is tied to broader economic impacts, demonstrating that SNAP benefits can stimulate economic activity—each dollar spent helps generate more economic turnover.

Relevant Companies

• None found