Summary
Missouri lawmakers are working on a bill to make it harder to qualify for food assistance through SNAP and MO HealthNet. The proposed changes focus on stricter rules for proving eligibility, especially concerning non-citizens, and would change how household income is counted. The bill still needs approval from the state Senate.
Key Facts
- Missouri proposes stricter rules for SNAP, which helps people with food.
- The bill affects nearly 650,000 Missouri SNAP recipients.
- Non-citizens would need specific immigration status to qualify for benefits.
- Applicants must prove citizenship or valid immigration status when applying.
- The current rule prevents checking a parent’s legal status if applying for a child.
- The bill would toughen penalties for not providing proof of status.
- Law uses federal verification systems to check applicant status.
- The bill would fully count income from ineligible household members.
- There is an effort to prioritize healthier food choices in SNAP.
