Improving Federal Assistance to Families Act
Improving Federal Assistance to Families Act
Plain Language Summary
# Improving Federal Assistance to Families Act (HR 702) — Summary **What the bill would do:** This bill would create state-by-state poverty line measurements instead of using a single national poverty line. Currently, the federal government uses the same income threshold across all states to determine who qualifies for assistance programs. This bill directs the Census Bureau to develop a "Regionally Adjusted Poverty Line" for each state that accounts for differences in cost of living—recognizing that housing, food, and other expenses vary significantly between states.
The Department of Health and Human Services would then use these adjusted poverty lines to determine eligibility for certain federal assistance programs. **Who it affects:** Potentially millions of Americans who receive federal benefits, including those applying for programs like food assistance, housing support, and healthcare. The bill could affect eligibility determinations in lower-cost states (where fewer people might qualify) and higher-cost states like New Jersey (where more people might qualify). States themselves would also be impacted since they often administer federal programs. **Current status:** The bill was introduced by Representative Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives.
CRS Official Summary
Improving Federal Assistance to Families ActThis bill directs the Bureau of the Census to develop and publish a new regional poverty line index for each state, and requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to use the new index to determine eligibility for federal programs in certain circumstances. Specifically, the bureau must develop and publish a new poverty line index, to be known as the Regionally Adjusted Poverty Line, that is measured separately for each state on an annual basis. The Regionally Adjusted Poverty Line must use new poverty thresholds calculated based on the most recent poverty thresholds and each state’s most recent regional price parity. (Poverty thresholds are specified dollar amounts used by the bureau to determine a household’s poverty status. Regional price parities are measurements of the differences in price levels between states and the national average, and are published by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.) For each state, HHS must determine annually which poverty line index—the Regionally Adjusted Poverty Line or the current poverty line—results in a greater percentage of households falling below the poverty line. HHS must generally use the identified poverty line index for administrative purposes applicable to each state, including to determine residents’ financial eligibility for certain federal programs. Finally, the Government Accountability Office must study and report to Congress on the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed threshold, an alternate poverty measure that includes consideration of regional costs of necessities like housing, child care, taxes, and transportation.
Latest Action
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.