Rep. Alma Adams introduces food assistance bill

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A bill introduced by congressional Democrats would increase federal food assistance funding for the poor and people with large medical and housing expenses.

U.S. Rep. Alma Adams is co-sponsor of legislation that would increase federal food assistance funding for financially distressed Americans.

The Closing the Meal Gap Act would boost Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits and allocate more funds to people with large medical and housing expenses. In addition to Adams, the bill is sponsored by U.S. Reps. Jahana Hayes (Connecticut), Summer Lee (Pennsylvania), and Nydia Velázquez of New York along with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York.

The bill would change the calculation formula for SNAP benefits from the Thrifty Food Plan to the Low Cost Food Plan by increasing the average benefit amount. Recipients now receive an average of $6.20 per person daily. The bill also raises SNAP’s standard caps for medical and shelter deductions to allow recipients to allow greater access to food assistance.

“No one in America should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from, but SNAP benefits are simply not enough to put food on the table. As inflation and cost of living continue to rise, we should focus on strengthening SNAP, not making deep, reckless cuts that only worsen hunger in the United States,” Adams, senior member of the House Committee on Agriculture said in a statement. “The Closing the Meal Gap Act will help tens of millions of people—including seniors, people with disabilities, single mothers, veterans, and children—become more food secure and support their households. Hunger is a policy choice and today, we are choosing to provide for the people who need it most.”

The legislation would alleviate impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed by President Donald Trump in July, which cut $186 billion in food assistance. The Republican-backed law also cuts and restricts future updates to the Thrifty Food Plan, making the Low Cost Food Plan an alternative to calculate benefits for SNAP recipients. The law also removes internet service costs as an eligible deduction for SNAP benefits.

“In the richest country in the world, it is unacceptable that over 40 million Americans, including 15 million children, still face hunger. We must do more to combat hunger in New York and across the nation,” Gillibrand said. … “By enhancing SNAP benefits, this vital legislation will help put food on the table for those who need it most.”

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