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Bill would let qualifying Vermonters use SNAP benefits at restaurants; sponsors urge pilot and one-time launch funds
Summary
A short-form bill would opt Vermont into the USDA Restaurant Meals Program for people 60+, people with disabilities and people experiencing homelessness; sponsor Jubilee said the program increases options and dignity while helping restaurants, and members discussed costs, targeting and implementation details.
Sponsor Jubilee introduced a short-form bill (H+1) that would direct Vermont to opt into the USDA Restaurant Meals Program, allowing qualifying individuals—people age 60 and older, people with disabilities and people experiencing homelessness—to use SNAP/3Squares benefits at participating restaurants.
Jubilee said the program "allows older Vermonters, disabled individuals and those without access to housing, to have hot prepared meals," and described it as "not a handout ... It's a lifeline." She told the committee the program also keeps federal dollars in-state and can provide social opportunities for older adults.
Committee members discussed implementation and fiscal details. Members said some states pair the program with one-time launch funds and a staff position to provide technical assistance and outreach; that approach, they said, improved uptake and reduced operational friction. The Department of Health staff indicated the opt-in is a federal option already used by multiple states and that pilot designs can vary.
Members raised concerns about per-meal cost and effects on SNAP recipients’ monthly benefit longevity. Supporters replied the federal waiver is targeted to a subset of SNAP recipients with limited cooking access and that program rules or participating-restaurant menus can be designed to limit items to lower-cost options. Members suggested exploring options to include congregate senior-meal sites or grocery hot-prepared items that already accept EBT in some locations.
The committee treated the item as the start of a conversation; Jubilee described the bill as a short-form vehicle to begin drafting. No committee vote was recorded during this hearing.
Ending: Staff and sponsors agreed to follow up on implementation options, whether a one-time position is required, and sample program designs other states use to limit cost exposure while maximizing access for the intended populations.
