EATS Act of 2025
EATS Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# EATS Act of 2025 Summary **What the Bill Does** The EATS Act (Enhance Access To SNAP Act) would expand food assistance benefits by making it easier for college and vocational students to qualify for SNAP (food stamps). Currently, federal law restricts most students ages 18-49 from receiving SNAP unless they meet specific exceptions like working at least 20 hours per week or caring for a young child. This bill would remove those restrictions for students attending school at least half-time, allowing more students to access the program regardless of their work hours. **Who It Affects** The bill primarily affects college and university students—particularly those with limited income—who are currently ineligible for SNAP due to student status restrictions. It could also benefit vocational and training program students.
Additionally, it would treat students as independent households for eligibility purposes, rather than considering them dependents of their parents or institutional residents, which could broaden access further. **Current Status** The bill was introduced by Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. It has not advanced to become law.
CRS Official Summary
Enhance Access To SNAP Act of 2025 or the EATS Act of 2025This bill expands eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for certain students.Specifically, the bill removes the restriction on SNAP eligibility for students to allow otherwise eligible students who are attending institutions of higher education (IHEs) at least half time to participate in SNAP. Under current law, students 18-49 years old are restricted from participating in SNAP, with exceptions (e.g., caring for a child under the age of 6 or employed for at least 20 hours a week). The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 temporarily exempted some students from certain SNAP eligibility requirements; these temporary student exemptions expired after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency on May 11, 2023.Further, the bill provides that students enrolled at least half time in a recognized school, training program, or IHE constitute individual households (not residents of institutions) and may be eligible for SNAP benefits. (Participation in SNAP is limited to households.)
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.