Rep. Brown Reintroduces Legislation to Strengthen SNAP Access for Medically Vulnerable Children

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Shontel M. Brown (OH-11) joined Reps. Kaptur (OH-09), Bishop (GA-02), and Hayes (CT-05) in releasing the following statement after reintroducing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Access for Medically Vulnerable Children Act.

“Families should have available resources to ensure sick children have adequate access to nutrition,” said Rep. Brown. “That is why I am reintroducing my SNAP Access for Medically Vulnerable Children Act, which would improve the SNAP Excess Medical Expense Deduction to give a helping hand to households with a child suffering from a chronic medical condition. Amid a hunger crisis and with emergency allotments set to expire at the end of the month, our safety net programs must remain resilient to ensure that disadvantaged families will never have to worry about their children going hungry.”

“Children and families dealing with chronic medical conditions have enough things to worry about, and where their next meal is going to come from should not be one of them," said Rep. Kaptur. "Through Rep. Shontel Brown’s SNAP Access for Medically Vulnerable Children Act, households will be given a vital lifeline to get the support they need while they provide the necessary medical care for their children.” 

“Food is medicine. Having access to affordable, nutritious food goes hand in hand with taking care of your health. Medical expenses for children with chronic illnesses can strain a family’s budget and this bill will help make sure that is taken into better account when determining SNAP benefits,” said Rep. Bishop. “I am glad to stand with Rep. Shontel Brown as she reintroduces the SNAP Access for Medically Vulnerable Children Act so those caring for ill children do not have to choose between feeding their families and caring for their kids.”

“No family should have to choose between affording their next meal or paying for lifesaving medication for their child,” said Rep. Hayes. “I am pleased to join Congresswoman Brown in reintroducing the SNAP Access for Medically Vulnerable Children Act to improve access to federal food safety net programs for struggling families with children who have pressing medical needs."

Background:

As a returning Member of the House Agriculture Committee, Rep. Brown is an ardent supporter of providing food assistance to struggling families and individuals with disabilities.

Currently, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)’s Excess Medical Expense Deduction allows qualified households to deduct medical expenses over $35 per month from their income in calculating SNAP benefits.

The SNAP Access for Medically Vulnerable Children Act would improve the SNAP Excess Medical Expense Deduction to include children that suffer from one or more chronic conditions. Under this bill, SNAP households could deduct allowable expenses over $35 incurred by a sick child and, as a result, may qualify for a higher SNAP benefit. 

Full text of this legislation is available HERE.