HB5718, titled the SNAP Back Act of 2025, would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to restore exemptions from SNAP work requirements for three groups: homeless individuals, veterans, and certain young adults who were in foster care when they turned 18 (or at a higher state-elected age). The bill specifically adds these categories to the list of people who are not subject to the program’s work-requirement rules.
In practical terms, the measure would make it easier for these populations to retain or access Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits without having to meet the standard work or work-training conditions that apply to other able-bodied adults without dependents. The bill is a targeted change to federal SNAP eligibility and compliance rules, and it would affect both state agencies that administer SNAP and the individuals covered by the new exemptions.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would directly amend 7 U.S.C. 2015(o) in the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 by adding homeless individuals, veterans, and former foster youth age 24 or younger to the statutory list of exemptions from SNAP work requirements. This would alter federal law governing SNAP administration and would require state SNAP agencies to apply the new exemptions when determining eligibility and compliance. The bill would primarily affect low-income homeless people, military veterans, and youth transitioning out of foster care, reducing the risk that these groups lose food assistance because they cannot meet work-related conditions.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcript, recorded vote, or other formal debate, so there is no documented floor or committee sentiment to assess. Based on the bill’s text and title, the measure appears to be framed as a supportive, anti-hunger policy aimed at reinstating protections for vulnerable populations rather than imposing new restrictions. Its referral to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture indicates it is still in the early stages of the legislative process.
Contention
The main policy issue likely to generate contention is whether SNAP work-requirement exemptions should be broadened for homeless individuals, veterans, and former foster youth. Supporters would likely argue that these groups face barriers to stable employment and should not lose food assistance because of circumstances beyond their control, while opponents may argue that expanding exemptions weakens work incentives and broadens SNAP eligibility beyond the intended scope. Because there are no transcripts or votes provided, no specific member positions or negotiated compromises are documented in the available materials.
Snap Back Inaccurate SNAP Payments ActThis bill requires states to recoup any overpayments of benefits made to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients and adjusts the formula for determining a state's liability rate for overpayments.As background, the SNAP quality control system measures how accurately SNAP state agencies determine a household’s eligibility and benefit amount and determines overpayments of benefits and underpayments. States that have comparatively high payment error rates for two consecutive years are assessed a penalty (i.e., liability amount). The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) must use a statutory formula to determine the liability amount.Under current law, FNS must set a tolerance level for excluding small payment errors in the calculation of payment error rates (e.g., $56 or less in FY2024). This bill reduces the tolerance level for excluding small errors to $0 for FY2025 and each succeeding fiscal year.The bill also requires state agencies to recoup any overpayments of benefits made to SNAP beneficiaries.The bill adjusts the liability rate formula to reduce the state payment error rate based on the percentage of overpayments recouped by the state. Further, the bill increases the multiplier used in the liability rate formula to 25% (from 10%).