Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Food Assistance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate votes to keep SNAP gross‑income limit at 165% of poverty, averting cut for thousands
Summary
Lawmakers advanced LB192 to preserve Nebraska's current supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) gross‑income threshold at 165% of the federal poverty level, removing a sunset that would have reduced eligibility to 135% and affected an estimated 10,000 Nebraskans.
The Legislature advanced LB192, a bill to remove the sunset provision that would have reduced SNAP eligibility by lowering the gross‑income limit from 165% of the federal poverty level back to 135%.
Sponsor Senator Megan Quick said the change is needed to avoid pushing about 10,000 Nebraskans off food assistance and to blunt the so‑called SNAP “cliff” that can remove benefits entirely after small earnings increases. “This bill is needed because SNAP eligibility in Nebraska was significantly decreased starting October first of this year because of the current sunset provision,” Quick said on the floor.
Committee testimony produced no opposition and the department told senators that continuing the higher limit would impose no state fiscal cost because SNAP benefits are paid fully by federal funds and administrative costs are split with the state. Supporters also noted local economic effects of SNAP spending — testimony cited a USDA figure that each SNAP dollar returns approximately $1.54 in economic activity.
Floor action: LB192 advanced to Enrollment and Review initial on a recorded vote (33 ayes, no nays recorded).
Ending: Sponsors urged a green vote to maintain the broader eligibility standard that proponents say reduces food insecurity and supports local economies; senators asked DHHS questions about federal funding and state exposure in the event of future federal cuts.
