What does Preamble of Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 2026 do?

This bill aims to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 The amendment seeks to streamline nutrition access for older adults and adults with disabilities

What does SHORT TITLE. of Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled the Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 2026.

What does IMPROVING EFFICACY OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE of Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 2026 do?

This section amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to improve the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The certification period is extended from 24 to 36 months. The standard medical expense deduction is revised to allow for a deduction of actual costs for allowable medical expenses.

What does STREAMLINING NUTRITION ACCESS FOR OLDER ADULTS AND ADULTS WITH of Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes the 'elderly simplified application program' (ESAP) allowing states to streamline the application and certification process for households where all adult members are elderly or disabled and have no earned income. ESAP certification periods will be 36 months. States participating in ESAP can use data matching for income verification and allow self-declaration of information, with verification of questionable factors prior to certification. Interviews for ESAP recertification are not required unless requested by the household and may be conducted virtually. The Food and Nutrition Service Administrator will develop guidance for states implementing ESAP, including implementation guidelines, reporting requirements, and best practices. This section also establishes the 'combined application program' (CAP) to streamline the application process for households where all adult members receive disability or supplemental security income benefits under Social Security. CAP aims to reduce in-person interviews and increase participation in the supplemental nutrition assistance program through automation and simplified benefit calculations. CAP offers two models for states: a 'standard model' using standardized benefit amounts and a 'modified model' involving outreach and simplified application forms.

What does ENROLLMENT AND OUTREACH PILOT PROGRAM FOR OLDER ADULTS, KINSHIP of Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 2026 do?

This section amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to establish an Enrollment and Outreach Pilot Program for Older Adults, Kinship Families, and Adults with Disabilities. The pilot program will award grants to eligible entities, such as state and local government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and educational providers. Grants will be used to raise awareness of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and assist eligible individuals in enrolling. Priority will be given to entities serving specific populations, including those with high rates of food insecurity, rural communities, and veterans. Eligible activities include application assistance, tailored dissemination of information, and transportation support. Grants can range from $50,000 to $250,000 and may last up to five years. The Secretary will conduct an evaluation of the pilot program within two years of its establishment. A total of $12,250,000 is appropriated to carry out the pilot program, with a portion allocated for the evaluation.

What does FOOD DELIVERY UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. of Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 2026 do?

This section amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to add a new section on food delivery under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The Secretary shall notify retail food stores of opportunities for food delivery and authorize public-private partnerships for free or low-cost food delivery. Covered retail food stores may receive reimbursement for food delivery costs for older adults and adults with disabilities. States must submit a plan to the Secretary describing how they will establish a process for food delivery and administer reimbursements. The Secretary shall submit a report to Congress annually on the number of participants using food delivery services and any complications experienced by States.

What does COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM. of Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 2026 do?

This section amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 regarding the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). It extends the authorization of funds for the CSFP from 2023 to 2031. It appropriates $10,000,000 annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out the program. The program's eligibility expands to include low-income adults with disabilities, as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Income eligibility for these individuals is set at less than 185 percent of the Federal poverty line. The section modifies provisions related to the duration of food packages provided to participants.

What does SENIORS FARMERS' MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM. of Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 4402 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, related to the Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program. It establishes mandatory funding for the program, authorizing appropriations of not less than $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2027, $70,000,000 for fiscal year 2028, and $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2029 through 2031. The amendment expands eligibility to include adults with disabilities. It sets minimum and maximum individual benefit amounts at $35 and $80, respectively. The certification period for participants is set at 36 months. It establishes a grant program to modernize program operations, with grants not exceeding $350,000. Eligible expenses for the grant program include electronic transaction technology procurement, planning, evaluation, training, and maintenance. Grant recipients are required to submit quarterly performance progress reports. The Secretary of Agriculture is directed to revise income eligibility guidelines to be at or below 200 percent of the poverty income guidelines.

What does INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING FOR FARMERS' MARKETS; LOCAL PROCUREMENT of Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 2026 do?

This section amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to establish two programs: an Infrastructure Funding for Farmers’ Markets Pilot Program and a Local Procurement Pilot Program. The Infrastructure Funding program provides financial assistance (loans, loan guarantees, or grants) to eligible entities for establishing new farmers' markets, improving existing ones, and expanding community-supported agriculture to serve older adults and adults with disabilities. Eligible entities for the Infrastructure Funding program include agricultural cooperatives, local governments, nonprofit corporations, and other entities as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture. The program requires participating entities to ensure farmers' markets are accessible via public transportation, paratransit, or services under the Older Americans Act, and to reserve at least 50% of floor area for locally produced products. The Local Procurement Pilot Program awards grants to eligible entities to contract with agricultural producers to grow produce for distribution to older adults and adults with disabilities. Eligible entities for the Local Procurement program include providers of nutrition services to older adults and adults with disabilities, as well as parks and recreation departments. Priority for Local Procurement grants will be given to entities serving underserved communities with limited access to fresh food. Funding for the Infrastructure Funding program is set at $50,000,000 annually from the Commodity Credit Corporation for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. Funding for the Local Procurement Pilot Program is set at $350,000 annually from the Commodity Credit Corporation for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, with $25,000 appropriated for program evaluation.

Back to bills

Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 2026

Last updated: 4/14/2026 · Introduced: 4/14/2026

Author: Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill extends Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) certification periods to 36 months and revises medical expense deductions to reflect actual costs.
It establishes the 'elderly simplified application program' (ESAP) and 'combined application program' (CAP) to streamline SNAP application and recertification processes for eligible older adults and individuals receiving disability or supplemental security income benefits.
The bill creates an Enrollment and Outreach Pilot Program to raise awareness of SNAP and assist eligible older adults, kinship families, and adults with disabilities in enrolling, allocating $12.25 million for this purpose.
It authorizes food retail stores to offer SNAP-covered food delivery services to older adults and adults with disabilities, and provides reimbursement for delivery costs.
The bill expands eligibility for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) to include low-income adults with disabilities and increases funding for the Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, including expanding eligibility to adults with disabilities and establishing a grant program to modernize program operations.

119th Congressin committeeS. 4286(In Committee)Official page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 7 more.

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