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

This bill proposes to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. The stated purpose is to streamline nutrition access for older adults and adults with disabilities. The bill was introduced in the Senate on April 14, 2026.

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 modify the certification period for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It revises the standard medical expense deduction for elderly or disabled SNAP recipients, allowing for either a standard deduction or actual medical costs. The amendment establishes a standard medical expense deduction amount of $155 for fiscal year 2027, with subsequent years adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index. State agencies may establish a greater deduction if it meets cost-neutrality standards set by the Secretary. The section also modifies the calculation of the value of allotments, changing the percentage from 8 percent to 1/3.

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 to implement 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 benefits under titles II or XVI of the Social Security Act due to disability. CAP aims to reduce the need for 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 shelter expenses, 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 aims to raise awareness and support enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for the target populations. Eligible entities to receive grants include state and local government agencies, Indian tribes, nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, and educational providers. Priority will be given to entities serving specific populations such as older adults, kinship families, and those in communities with high rates of food insecurity. Grant amounts can range from $50,000 to $250,000 per fiscal year, with a maximum duration of five years. Eligible activities include application assistance, tailored dissemination of information, transportation support, and development of replicable models. The Secretary is required to 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 $250,000 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 establish a program for food delivery under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It defines 'covered retail food store' as including retail food stores, nonprofit meal delivery services, and providers unable to cover delivery costs for SNAP participants. The Secretary is directed to notify retail food stores of delivery opportunities, authorize public-private partnerships, and use funds to provide free grocery delivery for older adults and adults with disabilities. States must submit plans to the Secretary describing how they will establish food delivery processes and administer reimbursements. Covered retail food stores can be reimbursed for delivery costs if they meet specific requirements, including using employees paid at least the minimum wage and providing health and safety training. Reimbursable costs include point-of-sale devices and technical assistance. The maximum reimbursement per delivery is $10, subject to inflation adjustments. The Secretary is authorized to appropriate $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 and subsequent years to cover food delivery costs. The Secretary must submit annual reports to Congress detailing program usage, reimbursements, and any challenges encountered.

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). The authorized funding for the CSFP is extended from 2023 to 2031, and an additional $10,000,000 is appropriated annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031. Eligibility for the CSFP is expanded to include low-income adults with disabilities, as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Income eligibility for individuals aged 60 and older or adults with disabilities is set at less than 185 percent of the Federal poverty line. The program's provisions related to the duration of food packages are modified to specify a duration of 36 months.

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 to modify 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 a minimum individual benefit of $35 and a maximum individual benefit of $80 under the program. The certification period for participants is established at 36 months. A grant program is created to modernize program operations, with grants not exceeding $350,000. Eligible expenses for these grants 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, and grants) to eligible entities for establishing, improving, or expanding farmers' markets and community-supported agriculture, prioritizing accessibility for older adults and individuals 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 Local Procurement Pilot Program awards grants to eligible entities to contract with agricultural producers to grow produce for nutrition programs serving older adults and adults with disabilities. Priority for Local Procurement Pilot Program grants is given to entities serving underserved communities with limited access to fresh, locally grown food. Funding for the Infrastructure Funding program is allocated $50,000,000 annually from the Commodity Credit Corporation for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. Funding for the Local Procurement Pilot Program is allocated $350,000 annually from the Commodity Credit Corporation for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, with $25,000 appropriated for program evaluation.

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Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 2026

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

Author: Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill modifies the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by revising medical expense deductions and adjusting allotment calculations to better support elderly and disabled recipients.
The bill establishes simplified application programs (ESAP and CAP) to streamline SNAP enrollment for elderly or disabled households with no earned income and those receiving Social Security disability benefits, respectively.
A new pilot program will increase SNAP enrollment among older adults, kinship families, and adults with disabilities through outreach and application assistance.
The bill creates a program to facilitate free grocery delivery for older adults and adults with disabilities through SNAP, reimbursing retailers for delivery costs while ensuring fair labor practices.
Funding for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) and the Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program is extended and increased, expanding eligibility to include low-income adults with disabilities and modernizing program operations.

119th Congressin committeeHR. 8256(In Committee)Official page

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Other Sections

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

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