S. 3603: COLAs Don’t Count Act of 2026

This bill, titled the "COLAs Don’t Count Act of 2026," aims to change how certain income adjustments are counted under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The key elements of the bill include:

Amendments to Income Exclusions

• The bill proposes to change a specific date in the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 regarding how income adjustments are applied. Instead of being based on July 1, the date will shift to January 1.
• It also modifies the existing regulations related to income exclusions by adding supplementary payments detailed in another law, specifically section 1616(a) of the Social Security Act. This means that certain types of supplementary payments will now be excluded when determining eligibility or benefits for SNAP.
• Overall, the changes intend to provide a clearer and more beneficial framework for calculating income exclusions related to cost of living adjustments (COLAs).

Implementation Timeline

The amendments proposed by this bill are set to take effect on October 1, 2027. This provides a timeline for the implementation of the new income exclusion rules.

Overview of SNAP Changes

SNAP is a federal nutrition program that assists low-income individuals and families by providing benefits that can be used for food purchases. Changes to how income is calculated, particularly concerning COLAs, can significantly impact the amount of assistance that eligible families receive, as it may change the determination of their income levels and eligibility for benefits.

Goals of the Bill

The overarching goal of the bill is to improve the way cost of living adjustments are handled within the framework of SNAP, potentially allowing beneficiaries to retain more of their income and receive fairer assistance based on their actual financial circumstances.

Relevant Companies

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