The Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 2023 aims to expand and improve federal nutrition programs for older adults and adults with disabilities. It would increase the eligibility period for SNAP benefits, expand medical expense deductions, and create a streamlined application process. The bill also reauthorizes and expands the Commodity Supplemental Food Program and the Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
The Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 2023 aims to expand and improve federal nutrition programs for older adults and adults with disabilities. It would increase the eligibility period for SNAP benefits, expand medical expense deductions, and create a streamlined application process. The bill also reauthorizes and expands the Commodity Supplemental Food Program and the Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program.
Last updated: 12/30/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><b>Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 2023</b></p> <p>This bill modifies and expands nutrition programs for older adults and adults with disabilities, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP).</p> <p>Under the bill, a household's eligibility for SNAP benefits may be certified for 36 months if all adult household members are elderly or disabled, an increase from 24 months. The bill also expands the SNAP medical expense deduction. </p> <p>The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must establish an elderly simplified application program (ESAP). Under ESAP, a state may implement a streamlined SNAP application and certification process for households where all adult household members are elderly or disabled and have no earned income.</p> <p>The bill also directs USDA to authorize public-private partnerships between USDA, retail food stores participating in SNAP, and community-based organizations to provide free or low-cost food delivery under SNAP, including through the use of private funds.</p> <p>Further, the bill reauthorizes CSFP, provides additional funding for the program, and expands eligibility to include low-income adults with disabilities. CSFP benefits may also be certified for 36 months. Currently, benefits may be certified for not less than one year, but not more than three years. </p> <p>The bill also expands eligibility for the Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) to include adults with disabilities, provide a 36-month certification period, and include minimum and maximum benefit amounts. </p> <p>Under the bill, USDA must also establish various grant programs; for example, USDA must establish grant programs to modernize SFMNP operations and establish new farmers' markets. </p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Increases the eligibility period for SNAP benefits from 24 to 36 months for households with all elderly or disabled adult members
Expands the SNAP medical expense deduction and establishes an elderly simplified application program
Reauthorizes and provides additional funding for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, expanding eligibility to include low-income adults with disabilities
Expands the Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program to include adults with disabilities and sets minimum and maximum benefit amounts
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
If this bill becomes law, it would make it easier for older adults and adults with disabilities to access and maintain SNAP and other federal nutrition benefits. This could improve food security and reduce senior hunger, especially for those on fixed incomes with high medical expenses. The expanded programs would directly benefit low-income older adults and adults with disabilities, helping them access nutritious foods from grocery stores, food banks, and farmers markets.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Agriculture and Food
Related Subjects
Aging
Agricultural marketing and promotion
Computers and information technology
Disability and paralysis
Family relationships
Food assistance and relief
Food industry and services
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Health care costs and insurance
Housing for the elderly and disabled
+6 more
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
3474, 119th Congress (2025). "Federal Mechanical Insulation Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-3474
